Randal

Grichuk

While the team has decided on Ben Rice as their starting first baseman, it seems that they are not comfortable with the idea of him hitting against left-handed pitchers. The Yankees are looking to bring in a right-handed hitter to fill that short-side platoon role, and Heyman specifically mentions Goldschmidt, Ty France, Austin Slater, and Randal Grichuk as players “on their list.” Not all of them have experience at first base, which could prove interesting, but France is the name we keep hearing the most.

Grichuk had a $5 million mutual option for 2026, but he has declined and will test the free agent waters again. The 34-year-old hit .228/.273/.401 with nine home runs and 27 RBI in 113 games this season. Somebody is likely to bring him on board as a bench bat against left-handed pitching.

Grichuk has forged a .742 OPS with seven homers in 69 appearances for the Diamondbacks. He’s mashed left-handed pitchers for his entire career, but there’s a decent chance he’ll be an everyday option while he’s with Kansas City.

In return for Grichuk, the Royals are sending the Diamondbacks right-handed reliever Andrew Hoffmann. The 33-year-Grichuk has homered seven times while hitting .243 with a .742 OPS. He’ll be in the lineup against left-handers for sure, but the Royals’ struggling offense could make Grichuk an everyday player for the final two months.

Rosenthal reports that the Diamondbacks haven’t decided just how far they’ll go in terms of trading players at the deadline. It’s beyond likely that pending free agents like Eugenio Suárez, Josh Naylor and Merrill Kelly are likely to be moved or at the very least shopped, but Rosenthal notes that the return for those players would need to clear the value of a potential compensation pick. Rosenthal also notes that Shelby Miller — who is currently on the injured list — is drawing interest, as is lefty keller Randal Grichuk. The Diamondbacks’ roster could look markedly different at this point next week.

The Diamondbacks are not locked into the “seller” role, but unless something changes in the next few weeks, it would be smart of them to consider offers for players who are not likely to be part of their future. Grichuk seems to be the most likely to be dealt since he’s playing on a one-year contract with a mutual option for next season. Gurriel has $13 million guaranteed for 2026, which could make it harder for the Diamondbacks to find a trade partner for him, and they may be less inclined to trade Thomas, who used to be one of the top prospects in baseball and is under team control for a few more years.

Grichuk got the start against southpaw Tyler Anderson, and he hit his first homer off Anderson and another off left-handed Reid Detmers. The veteran outfielder now has seven homers on the season while slashing .241/.281/.468 over 158 at-bats.

Carroll is getting a day of maintenance to open the three-game series against Los Angeles. He’ll rest with Randal Grichuk getting a start in right field against left-hander Tyler Anderson.

There’s little incentive for the Diamondbacks to take any chances with next week’s extended All-Star break on the horizon. It’ll be Jake McCarthy taking over in center field and Randal Grichuk entering the lineup at DH on Tuesday night against the Padres.

Grichuk entered the game as a pinch-hitter for Pavin Smith in the sixth inning and lined out to center field in his first plate appearance before plating two runs on an inside-the-park home run in the eighth inning. The 33-year-old outfielder is hitting .236/.276/.431 with five homers, 22 runs scored, and 18 RBI across 156 plate appearances.