Tim

Tawa

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.

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.

Kepler will have a chance to make his debut for the Diamondbacks after being suspended for the first 80 games of the campaign for violating MLB’s drug policy. The 33-year-old will likely get time in the corner outfield against right-hand pitching, but it’d be fair to say that a wait-and-see approach is appropriate in terms of a potential add to a fantasy roster. Tim Tawa will be optioned to Reno to make room for Kepler.

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.

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.

Tawa’s line-drive homer to left in Mexico City probably would have been a double in most ballparks, but even that would have done just fine for Arizona. Tawa is 6-for-41 while typically starting against lefties. He figures to see more time in Triple-A once the Diamondbacks start getting healthier.

X-rays were negative last night, but a CT scan found the fracture, and he’s expected to miss 6-8 weeks. Adrian Del Castillo is set to come off the IL and replace him on the active roster. Jorge Barrosa and Tim Tawa will get some extra at-bats, and Jose Fernandez will keep playing fairly regularly for now. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. will likely beat Lawlar back from the IL, which might result in some playing time questions when Lawlar returns.

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.