Pavin

Smith

Smith is at DH and hitting fifth in his return to Arizona’s lineup on Monday against the Dodgers after missing nine weeks recovering from surgery to remove loose bodies from his elbow. The 30-year-old figures to split time between first base and DH moving forward. He played in just two games before hitting the injured list back in late March.

Smith has not played since the opening series of the season after having surgery to remove loose bodies in his elbow. The 30-year-old hit .258/.362/.434 with eight home runs and 28 RBI in 288 plate appearances last season. He came into this season as the starter at first base against right-handed pitching. With Ildemaro Vargas playing well, Smith will likely replace Adrian Del Castillo as the team’s regular designated hitter.

Smith is working his way back from surgery to remove loose bodies from his left elbow that put him on the shelf at the outset of the regular season. The 30-year-old corner outfielder figures to be ready to return to Arizona’s lineup at some point in June.

Smith has been on the shelf since late March recovering from elbow inflammation and is scheduled to undergo surgery to remove lose bodies from his elbow. The procedural move opens up a spot on Arizona’s 40-man roster for emergency catcher Aramis Garcia.

Arizona finally decided to give Smith an extended break after dealing with elbow soreness since last week’s season-opener. It doesn’t sound like a serious concern considering he was able to play through the issue.

After being scratched with elbow soreness on Opening Day and allegedly set for an MRI, Pavin Smith will be in the Diamondbacks’ lineup as their designated hitter on Friday. As of now, he appears to be their favorite option at that spot against right-handed pitchers. Tim Tawa will retreat to the bench with Smith’s return.

Smith’s injury really came out of nowhere, and it’s particularly unfortunate timing for Arizona with Lourdes Gurriel Jr., Tyler Locklear and Adrian Del Castillo all on the IL. That left Tim Tawa to serve as the DH in Thursday’s game. Ideally, the Diamondbacks would replace Smith with a left-handed bat if he’s forced to the IL, but they don’t have any decent alternatives in the minors. Their best internal option is probably to add righty Luken Baker and shift Locklear to the 60-day IL.

The Diamondbacks do not believe the injury to be serious and he’s considered day-to-day. Tim Tawa will take his place in the lineup as the Diamondbacks’ designated hitter and will bat ninth while Carlos Santana moves up to sixth and Jordan Lawlar moves up to seventh.

While Lourdes Gurriel is sidelined, the 23-year-old will have a chance to see regular at-bats for the Diamondbacks — essentially battling Alek Thomas to see who sticks in the lineup upon Gurriel’s return. Here’s the full lineup that the Diamondbacks will use against Yoshinobu Yamamoto and the Dodgers on Friday evening in Los Angeles: Ketel Marte (2B), Corbin Carroll (RF), Geraldo Perdomo (SS), Gabriel Moreno (C), Pavin Smith (DH), Nolan Arenado (3B), Carlos Santana (1B), Alex Thomas (CF) and Jordan Lawlar (LF).

Smith delivered a one-out RBI single off of Bryan Woo in the fourth inning after Jorge Barrosa had reached on a leadoff double, giving the Diamondbacks an early 1-0 edge. Smith is having himself a strong spring, hitting .308 (8-for-26) with a pair of homers and four RBI.