Diamondbacks: Offensive Explosion Proof Recent Injuries Wont Hurt Them
After the recent injuries of two veteran players, how were the Arizona Diamondbacks going to fare? Apparently, just fine.
Just two days before the start of the 2019 MLB season, Arizona Diamondbacks RF Steven Souza Jr. took an awkward step in stride, slipped on home plate, flew into the air and fell to the ground; writhing in pain.
He would later be diagnosed with several ligament tears and declared done for the season.
Two days before the Diamondbacks’ home opener, Jake Lamb suffered a quad injury making his way from first to second in the ninth inning of a 4-1 loss to the Padres.
Lamb has been placed on the 10-day Injured List.
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Two veteran pieces of an already depleted lineup, that lost the likes of Paul Goldschmidt and AJ Pollock this past winter, now will have no impact on games for the rest of the month. But does it matter?
There was a depth concern regarding right field after Socrates Brito was designated for assignment just before Souza’s injury. Jake Lamb had been fighting for a starting spot in the lineup at first base with rookie Christian Walker.
So how would the field and lineup look in their home opener against the defending-world-champion Red Sox?
Just fine.
The Diamondbacks presented a 15-run performance by a lineup that featured veteran newcomer Adam Jones, Walker, and Ketel Marte.
Jones, who has become the everyday starter in right field, hit his fourth home run of the season and drove in another on a double off the centerfield wall.
Jones this season is already making a strong impression/fill-in role; sporting a .389 batting average, five RBI and scored six runs batting almost anywhere in the order.
Walker has already become an imposing threat in the box with his power numbers. He’s now hitting .304, 3 HR, and 6 RBI in just over 20 at-bats.
Marte, who has been playing second base and center field, had a game to remember with two home runs – one from each side of the plate – totaling 5 RBI and putting him at 11 on the season.
Even if Jones needs an off day in the outfield, the bench offers an opportunity for Jarrod Dyson as well. Walker can share time with Wilmer Flores as well.
If this game proved anything, the next-man-up mentality is alive an well with this team, leadership has taken a new form and just about anyone in this lineup can provide an offensive jolt.
It’s not as if their offense has had a severe need for Lamb or Souza either. Coming into Friday night’s matchup, the Arizona Diamondbacks were hitting .280 (3rd), had scored 41 runs (4th), and 75 hits (4th).
Most of that contribution was more from Marte, Jones, and Walker. Additionally, they had hit 14 home runs, three of them off the bats of Luke Weaver and Zack Greinke.
Next. Orioles add pitching depth with Dan Straily. dark
This Arizona Diamondbacks team still carries a lot of energy and will look to surprise everyone in a competitive National League West.