Saturday, November 14

Welcome to the D-backs Beat Newsletter! I’m Steve Gilbert and I’ve been writing about the D-backs since 1998…

PHOENIX -- Desperate to improve their performance against right-handed pitching, the Diamondbacks claimed outfielder Jesús Sánchez off waivers from the Blue Jays on Monday afternoon.

It was the Diamondbacks’ second move over the last few days to try to address an issue that has vexed them for much of the season. On Saturday, the team recalled left-handed-hitting infielder/outfielder Pavin Smith from Triple-A Reno.

On Monday, they jumped at the chance to bring on Sánchez, so much that they were willing to pick up the rest of the money he's owed this year -- around $420,000, per a source -- for just 12 games. Because he wasn't in the organization on Sept. 1, Sánchez is ineligible to play for the Diamondbacks if they make the postseason.

Arizona is locked in a battle with the Padres for the third and final NL Wild Card spot, and the two teams will play each other in a three-game series to close out the regular season.

"Looking for any way to sort of infuse offense, especially against righties," Arizona GM Mike Hazen said. "I think it's been an area of struggle for us this year, and most of the internal guys that we have to call up are all right-handed. I think the additions of Pavin and now Jesús are a way for us to try to spark the offense a little bit from the left-handed side. We face all righties all the way through, pretty much, projecting it out, unless something changes, and so we're looking for any sparks that we can get."

The lefty-swinging Sánchez slashed .260/.318/.416 with a 100 OPS+ in 99 games this season with Toronto, faring far better against right-handed pitching (.781 OPS) than lefties (.355 OPS). Defensively, he split his time between left and right field, posting a -9 Fielding Run Value that ranks in the third percentile of MLB in 2026. 

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said that Sánchez will be used as the designated hitter initially, with any outfield time to be determined as the next couple weeks unfold.

Sánchez, 28, owns a .727 OPS in parts of seven MLB seasons with the Marlins, Astros and Blue Jays. He won’t be a free agent until after the 2027 season.

Sánchez is expected to join the team Tuesday, at which time the Diamondbacks will have to make room on the 28-man roster.

In claiming Sánchez, the D-backs continue to overhaul their outfield for the stretch run. On Sunday, the team designated veteran outfielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. for assignment and recalled rookie infielder Jose Fernandez. Cutting ties with Gurriel cleared a spot on the 40-man roster for Sánchez.

The Diamondbacks are 52-58 against left-handed starting pitchers this year, while they sport a 27-13 mark against right-handers.

Hazen also addressed the left-handed-hitting situation at the Trade Deadline when he acquired outfielder Lars Nootbaar.

"Nootbaar's been awesome the last couple weeks," Hazen said. "He's doing a great job, but we’re obviously trying to do any little thing that we can do to win any particular game. We know [Sánchez] won't be there in the playoffs, but these games are incredibly important for us."

For the second straight year, the Diamondbacks named outfielder Corbin Carroll as their 2026 Roberto Clemente Award nominee.

The award is recognized as one of the most prestigious ones in baseball as it honors a player who best represents the game through remarkable character, community involvement, philanthropy and positive contributions both on and off the field.

The 2026 Roberto Clemente Award winner will be determined by fan voting. Fans are encouraged to vote for Carroll at mlbtogether.com/clementeaward through Sunday, September 27.

Since his arrival in the big leagues in 2022, Carroll has impressed the Diamondbacks Community Impact department with his unwavering commitment to giving back.

A three-time All-Star, National League Rookie of the Year and Silver Slugger Award winner, Carroll has helped lead the Diamondbacks back to national prominence while producing one of the most remarkable starts to a career in modern baseball.

As impressive as his on-field accomplishments are, they are equally so off the field.

Through his CC7 Charitable Fund, in partnership with the Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation, Carroll has donated more than $150,000 to projects and programs creating opportunities for children throughout Arizona.

Carroll has become a champion for D-backs RBI (Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities), mentoring young athletes who often face financial barriers to participation. He recently surprised RBI players with a Major League clubhouse experience featuring personalized lockers, Nike uniforms and professional equipment.

When he learned that Arizona student-athletes were arriving at high-school tryouts without proper footwear, he provided 160 pairs of new Nike cleats. He has also helped create a STEM literacy initiative that placed 10,000 STEM-themed storybooks into the hands of elementary students, featuring Carroll as a STEM Superhero, and personally visits schools to read with students.

Carroll’s impact also extends to individual children and families facing extraordinary challenges. When he learned that Dalton, a young baseball fan battling a life-threatening heart condition, had returned to the Little League field after months of treatment, Carroll surprised him by attending his game.

He also visited Chris, a local baseball player who was partially paralyzed following a devastating automobile accident, encouraging him to finish high school and pursue his dreams.

Throughout the year, Carroll generously shares his time through youth clinics, Boys & Girls Clubs visits, school visits, holiday events and community appearances. He approaches every interaction with genuine kindness, humility and gratitude. Despite his accomplishments, Carroll remains remarkably grounded, consistently redirecting praise to his teammates, coaches and family while using his platform to create opportunities for others.

"Corbin is just such an unbelievable human being," Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said. "He gives his time and his effort on and off the field to those that he feels like he can impact lives, and he's a great person. So for him to be our nominee, it's a semi-no-brainer. Corbin is just a very, very kind soul, who cares about others as much as I've ever seen, and then happens to be a really dynamic baseball player."

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