Tony Clark, 37, hit two home runs on opening day, but would never regain
that form. Clark suffered a right hand ligament injury in spring
training and finally was placed on the disabled list on May 5th, missing six
weeks and 41 games. Over parts of five seasons with the D-backs, he hit .255 (212-for-831) with 37 doubles, 59 home runs, and 178 RBI in 396 games.
A veteran clubhouse leader, Clark signed a one-year, $800,000 contract as a free
agent last winter despite Joshua Whitesell's fantastic 2008 season in Triple-A.
A corresponding move will be made
before the second half of the season begins. Whitesell is the most likely
recipient of a callup to replace Clark. He has already spent two stints
with the major league club and batted .300 with a .914 OPS in 38 plate
appearances during that second span. The other option would be Brandon Allen, who was acquired earlier in the week from the Chicago White Sox.
Allen does not have the history of success at the Triple-A level that Whitesell
boasts, but he has begun his Arizona Daimondbacks career 5-for-11 with two
walks, a double, a homer, and five RBI.
The most likely scenario has Whitesell replacing clark on the 25-man
roster, freeing up room for Allen to play everyday at Reno.
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