Pavin

Smith

Carroll gets Sunday off for the series finale against the Brewers. If this is injury-related there’ll be a follow-up, but for now it appears to just be a day of rest for the 24-year-old. Pavin Smith gets the start in right field.

Gurriel Jr. has been out since the beginning of September with a left calf strain. Pavin Smith has been covering Gurriel Jr.'s spot in left field while he’s been out. Smith is likely to see a decrease in playing time as Jake McCarthy, Corbin Carroll and Christian Walker are already entrenched at the other positions Smith plays.

Smith extended the D-Backs’ lead to 5-1 with his two-run shot. The former first-round pick has been limited to just 53 games, but they’ve been very effective with a slash of .296/.378/.591. Someone should give him a chance to play a more regular role in 2025.

Grichuk was slated to hit third and play left field, but instead he’ll retreat to the bench for reasons that have not been announced as of yet. With Grichuk out, Pavin Smith will get the start in left field and hit seventh.

Gurriel has missed 11 days with a calf strain. Barring a setback, he should return next week. Pavin Smith will likely do a lot more sitting once Gurriel is activated.

Smith had two chances at homer No. 4, but he struck out in the seventh and walked (after previously taking what really should have been strike three) in the ninth. Smith has come to the plate 102 times and hit seven homers this year, matching his total from 228 plate appearances last year. His strikeout rate is also well down, and his exit velocity numbers are terrific. It would have been fun to see what he could do when Christian Walker was hurt, but the D-backs were able to acquire Josh Bell then. He has earned an opportunity to be a starter against righties next year.

Smith took Spencer Bivens deep for a solo homer in the fifth inning to extend Arizona’s lead, only his fourth home run of the season. He later drew a walk in the eighth and stole second before scoring on a groundout. The 28-year-old is hitting .253/.326/.458 with 14 runs scored and 18 RBI across 95 plate appearances on the season.

Gurriel exited Sunday’s game against the Dodgers with tightness in his left calf, and unsurprisingly is not available for Monday’s contest. The outfielder is considered day-to-day, and Pavin Smith gets the start in left field while Gurriel recovers.

It appears to be nothing more than a routine night off for the 32-year-old slugger. Since joining the Diamondbacks, Bell has hit .278/.352/.464 with four homers and 12 RBI through his first 25 games — filling in admirably for the injured Christian Walker. Pavin Smith will start in his place on Saturday and will bat fifth against Gavin Stone and the Dodgers.

Gurriel will get a day of rest for the series finale. Pavin Smith is starting in left field and hitting fifth against Tanner Houck and the Red Sox.