INSIDE PITCH
The decision to claim infielder Jason Smith off waivers from the
Blue Jays is a good indicator the Diamondbacks are likely done with
utility man Alberto Callaspo, who was placed on the restricted list last week
following an altercation with his wife.
"We felt like a left-handed hitter who could play shortstop in
addition to second and third was an attractive guy for us," general manager
Josh Byrnes said.
Smith, who was hitting .212 (11-for-52) for Toronto before being
designated for assignment, was claimed by Arizona on Wednesday. A day
later, he found himself in the starting lineup in Denver, playing shortstop
in place of Stephen Drew.
Smith went 1-for-3 with a strikeout.
"It's nice to get him in there right away and let him go," manager
Bob Melvin said, adding of Drew, "Stephen's been out there quite a bit,
so give him the day off and see what the new kid has to offer."
Smith, who was selected by the Blue Jays last year in the Rule 5
draft from the Cubs, has 23 strikeouts in 55 at-bats.
"I had a good spring, and I had a good first couple of weeks of the
season and then it was almost like I hit a wall," he said. "I just
didn't put together a lot of good, quality at-bats. I had way too many
strikeouts. But it's a new start, a new everything, and I'm just going to
try to put that behind me and do the best I can."
Mark Reynolds, promoted all the way from Class AA Mobile in the
Southern League, Wednesday, remains the primary starter at third base for the next
several days.
"We looked at a lot of options, and even though we'd rather not rush
guys, he's done very well at Double-A with 250 at-bats over two
seasons," Diamondbacks general manager Josh Byrnes said. "He's really been
solid all year this year with the bat, so he gets the nod. Obviously, we
think a lot of his future, and obviously, because of the circumstances,
we're going to get him to the big leagues maybe sooner than expected."
Reynolds, 23, hit 31 homers last season in the minors and was
batting .306 before being promoted. He got the call in part because of
injuries to regular infield contributors at Class AAA Tucson. Reynolds
committed 12 errors with Mobile, although he's learning from his mistakes.
"Early in the season, it was a real struggle, mainly with the
throwing," he said. "I worked hard every day at getting on top (with my
throws), and now I'm feeling really comfortable."
DIAMONDBACKS 3, ROCKIES 1: Arizona captured its sixth series win in
dispatching Colorado behind the pitching -- and the hitting -- of
veteran right-hander Livan Hernandez. He allowed four hits over seven
innings and also singled twice and scored a run, raising his batting average
to .333 on the year. It was Hernandez's 30th career multi-hit game. He
didn't allow a hit until the fourth inning, when he faced a
bases-loaded situation. But Hernandez got out of it, and Colorado scored its only
run in the fifth. Jose Valverde notched his 14th save.
NOTES, QUOTES
--3B Chad Tracy, suffering from a strained rib cage, was placed on
the 15-day disabled list Wednesday after aggravating the injury twice
and realizing it wasn't getting any better.
--RHP Casey Daigle was designated for assignment so the Diamondbacks
could claim INF Jason Smith from Toronto. Smith, 29, profiles as a
backup shortstop to Stephen Drew after playing part of 2006 for the Rockies
and then singing a minor league deal with the Cubs before being
selected in the Rule 5 draft by the Blue Jays.
Smith must stay on Arizona's 25-man roster or the Diamondbacks will
have to offer him back to the Cubs.
"I like him," Diamondbacks manager Bob Melvin said. "He can play
anywhere in the infield. We really don't have a shortstop option behind
Drew right now, and he gives us coverage at all three spots and a guy
we've liked in the past."
--The Diamondbacks haven't scored more than four runs in a game for
15 consecutive games, tying a franchise record set July 19-Aug. 3,
2003.
--In beating Colorado two out of three times at Coors Field, Arizona
won its first road series since its season-opening, four-game sweep at
Washington.
--OF Scott Hairston was unavailable Thursday against the Rockies, a
day after getting hit by a pitch in the left wrist. X-rays were
negative, but his status won't be determined until Friday, when the
Diamondbacks begin a three-game series in Pittsburgh.
--UT Donnie Sadler was designated for assignment to make room on the
roster for INF Jason Smith, who was claimed off waivers Wednesday from
Toronto. Sadler, making his first appearance in the majors in three
years, was promoted when UT Alberto Callaspo was placed on the restricted
list. The players' union on Thursday filed a grievance against the
Diamondbacks on Callaspo's behalf.
--C Miguel Montero, who has just three extra-base hits in 57
at-bats, was hitting in the No. 5 spot Thursday. He went 0-for-4.
--OF Eric Byrnes extended his hitting streak to 11 games Thursday
with a single and a triple against the Rockies.
--LHP Randy Johnson apparently has been dealing with stiffness in
his back for more than a week, which was one of the reasons manager Bob
Melvin lifted him from Monday's game in Denver after six innings, even
though the veteran, recovering from October back surgery, was almost
perfect through six innings against the Rockies at Coors Field.
"I think he's at a point in time in his career when if his body
speaks to him, he will listen now," Melvin said, "where in the past, he
might not."
BY THE NUMBERS: 8 -- Home runs allowed by RHP Brandon Medders
through his first 16 2/3 innings this season.