Report: Max Kepler to join D-backs on Thursday

Kepler singled in a run in the first and hit a three-run homer off Walker Buehler in the third. He entered the night 2-for-19 with no extra-base hits, RBI or walks since returning from his steroid suspension. He’ll play regularly against righties if the production is there, but nothing so far seems especially promising.

It looks to be nothing more than a routine day of rest for the 35-year-old third baseman. Tim Tawa will start in his place at the hot corner and will bat seventh for the D’Backs against Brewers right-hander Brandon Sproat.

Tawa returns after spending the requisite 10 days at Triple-A Reno after being optioned out last Thursday. He has struggled at the plate during his time with the Diamondbacks this season, slashing a paltry .172/.270/.266 with just one home run, eight RBI and an 18/9 K/BB ratio over 76 plate appearances. LuJames Groover was optioned to Triple-A Reno in a corresponding move.

Kepler started the first two games after being activated from the restricted list, but he’ll take a seat against Rays’ right-hander Drew Rasmussen on Sunday. The 33-year-old is hitless in his first five at-bats for the Diamondbacks with one strikeout. Ketel Marte will function as the team’s designated hitter on Sunday with Ildemaro Vargas drawing a start at second base and batting eighth.

With Max Kepler joining the team on Thursday, someone needed to get the boot from the Diamondbacks’ bench and Tawa would up drawing the short straw. The 27-year-old hit just .172/.270/.266 with one homer, eight RBI and an 18/9 K/BB ratio over 76 plate appearances with the Diamondbacks.

The 33-year-old outfielder has finished serving his 80-game PED suspension and will be active and in uniform for the Diamondbacks on Thursday evening against the Cardinals in St. Louis. He should see fairly regular action against right-handed pitching if he proves that he’s able to hold his own after the long layoff.

Tawa has hit .169/.265/.254 in 70 plate appearances for the D-backs this season. He’ll likely play mostly against left-handers in a utility role.

Kepler was suspended for 80 games in January, but now can begin play in Triple-A. The Diamondbacks have played 73 games thus far, so Kepler could be an option against right-handed pitching at some point next week.

Kepler is still serving an 80-game PED suspension announced in January, so he goes on the restricted list for now. The Diamondbacks will have him go on a rehab assignment in the minors and then decide whether they want him to be a part of their outfield. With Jordan Lawlar and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. getting healthy and Ryan Waldschmidt and Tommy Troy still candidates to step up, ideally, they wouldn’t need Kepler at all. But, then, if they thought that would be the case, they probably wouldn’t have made the signing. Kepler hit .216/.300/.391 in 127 games for the Phillies last season, and if he was cheating then, it didn’t seem to do him much good. He doesn’t offer as much defensive value as he used to, either. Maybe he’ll surprise, but he seems like a weak platoon option at the moment.

Tawa is hitting just .169/.265/.254 in 70 plate appearances with the Diamondbacks this season. He’s being sent down to make room for Pavin Smith (elbow) to come off the injured list.