Alek Thomas
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2024Neon379992925123202100.2930.3140.424
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MLB Player Data
DateNewsComment
Jun 30 2025Thomas went 3-for-3 with a double and two runs scored in Monday's 4-2 win over the Giants. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Thomas was the only Diamondback with a multi-hit effort in this game. The outfielder had gone 15 contests without such a performance, batting a paltry .109 (5-for-46) in that span. Despite his struggles at the plate, Thomas continues to hold down a starting role in center field. He's up to a .249/.294/.367 slash line with four home runs, five stolen bases, 22 RBI, 27 runs scored, 10 doubles and two triples over 74 contests this season.
Jun 27 2025Thomas went 1-for-3 with a solo home run, a second RBI and two total runs scored in Friday's 9-8 loss to the Marlins. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Thomas opened the scoring with a sacrifice fly in the third inning and added a solo shot in the seventh. After an 0-for-17 skid from June 15-23, the outfielder is 3-for-10 with three RBI and a stolen base over his last three games. He's batting .248 with a .662 OPS, four homers, 22 RBI, 25 runs scored and five steals across 71 contests this season.
Jun 24 2025Thomas went 1-for-4 with a stolen base and a run scored in Tuesday's win over the White Sox. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Thomas singled, stole and later scored during a three-run seventh for the Diamondbacks. The base knock was Thomas' first since June 14. Despite the recent struggles, Thomas doesn't have any major threat behind him to take away playing time. Jake McCarthy was recalled from Triple-A Reno on Tuesday but is expected to primarily make starts in right field while coming up to replace Corbin Carroll (hand).
Jun 18 2025Thomas is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Blue Jays. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: With southpaw Eric Lauer on the bump for Toronto, Tim Tawa will draw the start in center field while the left-handed-hitting Thomas heads to the bench for the first time since June 4. While starting in each of Arizona's previous 11 contests, Thomas went 11-for-39 (.282 average) with two home runs, one stolen base, eight runs and three RBI.
Jun 10 2025Thomas went 3-for-3 with a solo home run, a walk, a stolen base and four total runs scored in Tuesday's 10-3 win over the Mariners. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Thomas made some noise from the bottom of the lineup. He's hit safely in five of his last six games, going 9-for-22 (.409). Two of his three homers have come in that short stretch of success, which has helped him maintain a starting role in center field as he works to overcome a poor May. Thomas is now at a .273/.315/.395 slash line while adding 19 RBI, 21 runs scored and four stolen bases across 185 plate appearances.
Jun 6 2025Thomas went 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBI in Thursday's 11-10 win over Atlanta. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Thomas delivered a two-run homer as part of Arizona's seven-run ninth inning, which aided the team in its improbable comeback victory. It was the second home run of the season for Thomas, who has been slumping the last two weeks. He entered the game batting .133 (4-for-30) with one RBI over the previous 14 games. The multi-hit effort was his second in the last 23 contests.
Jun 1 2025Thomas is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Nationals. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Thomas will get a breather for the day game while the Nationals send the left-hander Mitchell Parker to the bump for the series finale. Tim Tawa will replace Thomas as the Diamondbacks' starter in center field.
May 19 2025Thomas isn't in the starting lineup for Monday's game against the Dodgers. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: This is a rare night on the bench for Thomas, who has already appeared in 16 games so far in May, hitting .260 with one home run, three RBI and two runs scored. Tim Tawa will get a look in center field with Thomas riding the pine Monday evening.
May 18 2025Thomas went 1-for-5 with a solo home run in Saturday's 14-12 loss to Colorado. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Thomas launched his first home run of the season in the fourth inning, giving Arizona a 9-6 lead in a wild game at Chase Field. He's maintained a respectable batting average all season but has seen his impact wane since a productive opening. Saturday's homer was his first extra-base hit in eight games and his second RBI in the last 14 contests. Thomas is batting .283/.331/.400 with one home run, 15 RBI and 12 runs scored through 38 games.
May 4 2025Thomas is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Phillies. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The left-handed-hitting Thomas will retreat to the bench for the series finale while the Phillies send southpaw Ranger Suarez to the hill. The Diamondbacks will replace Thomas in center field with a right-handed bat in Garrett Hampson.
May 3 2025Thomas started in center field against a left-hander and went 1-for-3 in Friday's 3-2 loss to Philadelphia. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: It was a rare start against a lefty for Thomas, who entered the game with just nine at-bats against them in 2025. He was eventually pinch hit for in the ninth inning. Previously, Jorge Barrosa would man center field against lefties, but he was optioned to the minors in conjunction with Ketel Marte coming off the injured list. Thomas is off a good start, and manager Torey Lovullo may want to give him regular opportunities to bat against southpaws. If the manager wants to resume sitting Thomas against lefties, then he could use Garrett Hampson or Tim Tawa as a fill-in.
Apr 30 2025Thomas is not in the lineup for Wednesday's contest versus the Mets. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: It's the second straight day out of the lineup for the left-handed-hitting Thomas, as the Mets started a lefty Tuesday and will use a southpaw bulk reliever Wednesday. The Diamondbacks are going with Jorge Barrosa in center field and in the No. 8 spot in the batting order.
Apr 13 2025Thomas entered Sunday's game as a defensive replacement and went 1-for-1 with two RBI and a stolen base in a 5-2 win over Milwaukee. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Thomas' two-run single in the bottom of the eighth inning gave the Diamondbacks insurance. He's been an effective hitter early on with 10 RBI through 11 games. Thomas' career high in RBI is 39, which he accomplished in 2022 (113 games) and 2023 (125 games).
Apr 11 2025Thomas is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Brewers. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The Brewers will send out left-hander Jose Quintana to make his season debut Friday, so the D-backs will keep the left-handed bat of Thomas on the bench. Jake McCarthy will fill in as Arizona's center fielder and bat eighth.
Apr 7 2025Thomas is not in the Diamondbacks' starting lineup against the Orioles on Monday, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Thomas started in the Diamondbacks' last two games and went 3-for-8 with a triple and two RBI, but he'll begin Monday's contest in the dugout. Jake McCarthy will get the start in center field and bat eighth against Orioles right-hander Zach Eflin.
Apr 6 2025Thomas will start in center field and bat seventh in Sunday's game against the Nationals. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: At least for the time being, Thomas seems to have emerged as manager Torey Lovullo's preferred option in center field. Jake McCarthy has yet to record a hit through 18 at-bats on the season and is beginning to lose playing time as a result, as he'll hit the bench Sunday for the third time in four games. Thomas -- who owns a .950 OPS through five contests on the season -- has started in all three of those contests in McCarthy's stead.
Mar 29 2025Thomas went 3-for-4 with two doubles, one RBI and one run scored in Friday's 8-1 win over the Cubs. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Thomas, who was on the bench against a lefty Thursday, was in the lineup Friday against a right-hander. Jake McCarthy started in center field Thursday, but the situation will not be a strict platoon since both are lefty batters. One thing for certain is Thomas' poor track record against southpaws.
Mar 28 2025Thomas is starting in center field and batting seventh in Friday's contest against the Cubs. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Thomas was on the bench in favor of Jake McCarthy for Thursday's opener versus lefty Justin Steele, but he'll get the call against right Jameson Taillon on Friday as the Diamondbacks look to even the series. There will be some instances when both McCarthy and Thomas are in the lineup, with Lourdes Gurriel a candidate to shift to designated hitter those days.
Feb 22 2025Thomas started in center field and went 1-for-3 with a run scored in Friday's spring game against Colorado. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Thomas singled and scored as part of a three-run third inning. He's competing for an outfield job with Jake McCarthy, who started in right field Friday. Thomas is the better defender, but the winner of the battle likely hinges on his contact this spring. Thomas smoked the single (106.4 mph) while the outs made were harmless groundballs without much exit velocity.
Feb 15 2025Diamondbacks hitting coach Joe Mather said Friday that Thomas worked on his pre-swing activity during the offseason, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Specifically, Thomas' adjustments included a slightly lower leg kick along with being more consistent with his stride and direction. He feels the cleaner mechanics will result in hard line drives with gap-to-gap power. Thomas hit the ball with authority last season but mostly on the ground (60.8 groundball percentage). The outfielder, who is healthy entering spring training after missing significant time in 2024, begins camp as the No. 2 center fielder and will compete with Jake McCarthy for the starting job.
Feb 12 2025Thomas enters spring training listed second on Arizona's depth chart in center field. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Jake McCarthy, who was in Thomas' shoes at the start of camp in 2024, is listed as the starting center fielder and deserves to be. Thomas suffered through an injury marred season and barely hit when healthy (.603 OPS). Meanwhile, McCarthy was a competent fill-in during the first half and eventually exploded in July/August (.878 OPS). The Diamondbacks don't lose much in the way of defense with McCarthy -- though Thomas is clearly the best outfield defender on the team -- and the former's bat has been an asset in addition to his work on the basepaths (74 steals from 2022 to 2024). Thomas hit the ball hard last year, but a lot of it was on the ground. If the 24-year-old shows improvement at the plate during spring training, that could force a decision for manager Torey Lovullo.
Sep 26 2024The Diamondbacks recalled Thomas from Triple-A Reno on Thursday, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Thomas was optioned to Triple-A in the middle of August, but landed on the 7-day injured list due to a right oblique strain a few days after. He was reinstated from the injured list Sept. 18 after missing a month of action. With his return to the big club, Yilber Diaz and Blake Walston were optioned to Triple-A Reno as part of a corresponding move.
Sep 18 2024Triple-A Reno reinstated Thomas (oblique) from its 7-day injured list Tuesday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Thomas returned to the lineup for Reno's 9-2 win over Albuquerque, starting in center field while going 2-for-4 with a double and two runs. The 24-year-old had missed the past month with a right oblique strain.
Aug 20 2024Thomas was placed on the 7-day injured list at Triple-A Reno on Tuesday with a right oblique strain, Jesse Friedman of GoPHNX.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: After losing work in the majors to Jake McCarthy, Thomas was optioned to Triple-A last week in order for him to continue receiving regular reps. However, he is now expected to be sidelined for roughly four weeks as a result of his injury. The 24-year-old outfielder had gone 5-for-13 with a homer and two RBI in three games with the Aces.
Aug 14 2024The Diamondbacks optioned Thomas to Triple-A Reno on Wednesday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: He had been losing more and more playing time to the red-hot Jake McCarthy and will now head to Reno, where he'll be given regular reps again. Thomas' elite outfield defense hasn't been able to overcome his weak bat, as he's slashed a woeful .191/.248/.362 across 37 games with Arizona this season.
Aug 10 2024Thomas is not in the starting lineup for Saturday's game against the Phillies. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Saturday marks the second time in three games that Thomas will begin the contest in the dugout. He went 0-for-2 with one walk in Friday's 3-2 win over Philadelphia. Jake McCarthy will start in center field and bat sixth against Phillies right-hander Aaron Nola.
Aug 8 2024Thomas isn't in the Diamondbacks' lineup Thursday versus the Phillies. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: With left-hander Kolby Allard slated to throw the first pitch for Philadelphia, the left-handed-hitting Thomas will take a seat to begin Thursday's contest. Jake McCarthy will fill in as Arizona's center fielder and bat second while Thomas rests.
Aug 7 2024Thomas is not in the lineup for the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader versus the Guardians, Jesse Friedman of GoPHNX.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Thomas went 0-for-2 with a walk and a run scored in the Diamondbacks' 7-3 win in the first game of the day before getting removed for a pinch hitter. He'll begin the second contest on the bench but will be an option to enter late as a defensive replacement should the Diamondbacks grab the lead.
Aug 5 2024Thomas is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Guardians. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The lefty-hitting Thomas will take a seat for the second time in three days as left-hander Logan Allen takes the mound for Cleveland. Jake McCarthy will play center field and bat sixth Monday in Thomas' stead.
Aug 3 2024Thomas isn't in the Diamondbacks' lineup for Saturday's game against the Pirates. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Thomas will get a day to rest Saturday after going 1-for-3 with two RBI and a walk in Friday's game. Jake McCarthy will fill the void in center field and bat sixth.
Jul 31 2024Thomas is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Nationals. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Thomas will take a seat for the third time in five games, with all of those absences coming against left-handed pitching. The lefty-hitting Thomas still appears to have a grasp on a strong-side platoon role.
Jul 30 2024Thomas isn't in the Diamondbacks' lineup versus the Nationals on Tuesday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Lefty Patrick Corbin is on the mound for the Nationals for Tuesday's game, so the lefty-hitting Thomas will take a seat. Jake McCarthy has the start in center field and is batting sixth.
Jul 27 2024Thomas is out of the lineup for Saturday's game against the Pirates. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The lefty-hitting Thomas will be on the bench for Saturday's contest, yielding to Jake McCarthy in center field with southpaw Marco Gonzales on the bump for Pittsburgh. Thomas is slashing .206/.254/.413 in 68 plate appearances this season.
Jul 24 2024Thomas entered Tuesday's game as a pinch runner and recorded a steal in a 6-2 win over Kansas City. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Thomas ran for Lourdes Gurriel in the eighth, and his stolen base produced a run when Freddy Fermin committed a throwing error while attempting to throw him out. The steal was Thomas' second in four games and third of the season. Thomas, who was held out of the starting lineup against a right-hander, finished the game in center field.
Jul 23 2024Thomas is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Royals. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: After drawing the start against a left-handed pitcher Monday, Thomas will get the night off Tuesday. Jake McCarthy will bat eighth and fill center field.
Jul 21 2024Thomas is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cubs. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Thomas will join fellow left-handed-hitting regulars Corbin Carroll and Joc Pederson on the bench as the Cubs send southpaw Shota Imanaga to the hill. Jake McCarthy will fill in for Thomas in center field.
Jul 20 2024Thomas went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and a stolen base in Saturday's 3-0 win over the Cubs. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: This was Thomas' first multi-hit effort since Opening Day, though he missed three months due to a hamstring injury. The outfielder also picked up his second steal of the year, which shows a bit more confidence in his running. Overall, he's batting .214 with a .670 OPS, three homers, 12 RBI, eight runs scored and three doubles across 18 contests. Thomas has a starting role in center field for Arizona, though he may sit out occasionally versus left-handed pitchers.
Jul 14 2024Thomas is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Blue Jays. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The lefty-hitting Thomas will take a seat for the series finale while the Blue Jays bring southpaw Yusei Kikuchi to the hill. Jake McCarthy will fill in for Thomas in center field.
Jul 11 2024Thomas isn't in Arizona's lineup versus Atlanta on Thursday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Thomas started in the first three games of the series against Atlanta and tallied just one hit in 11 plate appearances. Jake MCCarthy has the start in center field and is batting fifth.
Jul 10 2024Thomas started in center field and went 0-for-4 in Tuesday's 6-2 loss to Atlanta. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: This was the first time the Diamondbacks faced a left-handed starter since Thomas was activated off the injured list. His struggles against southpaws -- a career .449 OPS -- has led to manager Torey Lovullo sitting him against lefties in previous years, but Thomas got the start over Corbin Carroll. Part of that could be due to the need for Thomas to get at-bats; he has just 39 plate appearances in 2024.
Jul 6 2024Thomas is out of the lineup for Saturday's game against the Padres. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Thomas will get the day off Saturday after making back-to-back starts in center field. The 24-year-old is 2-for-12 at the plate with a grand slam and a stolen base since being activated from the IL on July 2. Jake McCarthy will bat sixth and play center field Saturday.
Jul 5 2024Thomas went 1-for-4 with a grand slam in Friday's 10-8 loss to the Padres. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Thomas' blast erased most of a five-run deficit in the ninth inning. It was the outfielder's second homer in seven games this season, as he missed three months with a hamstring injury. He's added eight RBI, one stolen base and three runs scored. Thomas has reclaimed a starting role in center field since his return, though he may sit out against the occasional left-handed starter, as the Diamondbacks have two right-handed-hitting outfielders in Lourdes Gurriel and Randal Grichuk.
Jul 3 2024Thomas isn't in Arizona's lineup for Wednesday's game versus the Dodgers, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Thomas went 0-for-3 with a walk Tuesday in his first game back from a three-month stint on the injured list, and he'll take a seat on the bench Wednesday as he eases his way back into regular playing time in Arizona's outfield. Corbin Carroll will shift to center field while Thomas rests, opening up right field for Jake McCarthy.
Jul 2 2024The Diamondbacks reinstated Thomas (hamstring) from the 10-day injured list Tuesday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Thomas suffered a left hamstring strain during the fourth game of the season, and multiple setbacks have contributed to his three-month absence. Now, after playing in 10 rehab games between the Arizona Complex League and Triple-A, the 24-year-old outfielder has been cleared to return to the big-league roster. It's possible the D-backs have him sit occasionally as he gets used to facing MLB pitchers again, but he'll almost certainly reclaim his role as Arizona's primary center fielder. Blaze Alexander was optioned to Triple-A Reno in a corresponding move.
Jul 1 2024Thomas (hamstring) will remain with Triple-A Reno and play another game Tuesday, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: After playing Tuesday, the team will reassess whether Thomas is ready to be activated. He sustained the injury during the fourth game of the season and has missed three months because of it. Thomas was originally anticipated to return in early May, but his rehab was paused twice since then.
Jun 30 2024The Diamondbacks will assess Sunday whether Thomas (hamstring) is ready to be activated from the 10-day injured list, MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Thomas played in rehab games Friday and Saturday for Triple-A Reno. He started in center field and played nine innings on both occasions. The outfielder has a combined 32 plate appearances while on his rehab assignment and is hitting .310/.344/.483 between stops with Reno and the rookie-level Arizona Complex League.
Jun 27 2024Thomas (hamstring) started in center field and played seven innings for Triple-A Reno on Wednesday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Thomas played in the field on back-to-back days, bolstering the Diamondbacks' hopes of having him rejoin the parent club this weekend against the Athletics. Per Arizona assistant general manager Mike Fitzgerald, the outfielder will play Friday and Saturday for the Aces. After that, he could return to the Diamondbacks, per Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports. Thomas is 1-for-7 in two games at Reno and 8-for-20 overall on the current rehab assignment, including a stint at the Arizona Complex League.
Jun 26 2024Thomas (hamstring) began a rehab assignment at Triple-A Reno on Tuesday and could rejoin the Diamondbacks this weekend, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Thomas began what is expected to be the final stage of his rehab assignment, playing seven innings in center field while going 1-for-3 with an RBI for Reno. The outfielder has 18 plate appearances thus far on rehab, with most of those coming in the Arizona Complex League. He could get more looks against advanced pitching while with the Aces over the next two days before potentially rejoining Arizona on Friday in time for the weekend series against the Athletics.
Jun 24 2024Thomas (hamstring) will take live batting practice Monday then head to Triple-A Reno to continue a rehab assignment, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Thomas will be the hitter in a live BP session thrown by Zac Gallen (hamstring). Thomas' rehab assignment was paused the middle of last week then resumed over the weekend; he had six combined at-bats over two games in the Arizona Complex League and played seven innings in center field Saturday. He said the hamstring responded well to the activity, and the Diamondbacks decided to move his rehab to its Triple-A affiliate.
Jun 20 2024Thomas (hamstring) is scheduled to resume his rehab assignment Friday in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League, Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: After going 3-for-3 with a double and two RBI in the third game of his current rehab assignment in the ACL on Monday, Thomas reported what Arizona manager Torey Lovullo termed as "general soreness." Fortunately for Thomas, he looks to have avoided a setback, and he'll be back in action Friday with the soreness having subsided. Jody Jackson of Bally Sports Arizona adds that Thomas is also scheduled to play in an ACL game Sunday, and if all goes well, the outfielder could shift his rehab assignment to a higher-level affiliate next week. Thomas has been on the shelf since April 1 with a strained left hamstring and was pulled off his initial rehab assignment in early May after he experienced renewed discomfort.
Jun 19 2024Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said Wednesday that Thomas' (hamstring) rehab assignment has been paused due to "general soreness," Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Lovullo added that he's "very" optimistic Thomas will be able to resume the rehab assignment later this week, so it would appear this isn't a significant setback. Thomas had a bigger setback back in early May with his left hamstring, an injury which has kept him on the shelf all season. The goal has been for Thomas to be activated June 25 at the start of a homestand, but that date might be pushed back a bit now even if he's able to resume playing rehab games this weekend.
Jun 16 2024Thomas (hamstring) started in center field and went 1-for-2 with a walk and a run scored in the Arizona Complex League on Saturday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Thomas played the second game of a rehab assignment and first in the field. He tested the hamstring, moving up a base on two wild pitches before scoring on an infield groundout. Thomas was eventually removed after three plate appearances and five innings. He'll be off Sunday before playing a third game in the ACL on Monday, then he'll move to Triple-A Reno on Tuesday. The Diamondbacks are aiming for his return June 25, when the team begins its next home stand.
Jun 15 2024Thomas (hamstring) will continue his rehab assignment at Triple-A Reno on Tuesday and is hoping to rejoin the Diamondbacks on June 25 for the start of a six-game home stand, Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Thomas started a rehab assignment in the Arizona Complex League and homered in his first game. He'll have his rehab transferred to Triple-A Reno on Tuesday, where he'll remain while the Diamondbacks go on a six-game road trip.
Jun 12 2024Thomas (hamstring) is expected to serve as the designated hitter for the Diamondbacks' entry in the Arizona Complex League on Thursday, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Thomas has been running the bases and will be on the field Wednesday at Chase Field to take batting practice and perform outfield work before heading to the ACL. Arizona manager Torey Lovullo reiterated a statement made earlier that Thomas may not need as many games as teammate Geraldo Perdomo, who had a seven-game (16 plate appearances) rehab assignment before his return from a knee injury Tuesday.
Jun 8 2024Thomas (hamstring) ran the bases with cleats Saturday, Jesse Friedman of GoPHNX.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Thomas endured a setback during the recovery from a left hamstring strain in late May, and after being shut down from running, he resumed running the bases Saturday. He's expected to begin a rehab assignment next week, but manager Torey Lovullo said Wednesday that Thomas won't need many games before being activated considering how many at-bats he's taken while on the injured list.
Jun 5 2024Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said Wednesday that the hope is Thomas (hamstring) will be ready to resume a rehab assignment next week, Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Thomas had to be pulled off his initial rehab assignment in early May following a setback with his left hamstring. He's progressed nicely more recently, however, and is almost ready for game action. Lovullo noted Wednesday that Thomas' rehab assignment might not take long because the outfielder has taken so many at-bats while sidelined.
Jun 3 2024Thomas (hamstring) is continuing a running progression and could advance to running bases later in the week, Jesse Friedman of GoPHNX.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Thomas has not yet been cleared to see live at-bats on a rehab assignment, but he appears to be trending in the right direction. Once he gets the green light to run the bases, a minor-league rehab stint shouldn't be far behind.
Jun 2 2024Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said Sunday that Thomas (hamstring) isn't on track to begin a minor-league rehab assignment during the upcoming week, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Though Lovullo noted that Thomas is trending in a right direction in his recovery from a left hamstring strain, the center fielder isn't yet at a point in his rehab regimen where he's ready for game action. Thomas has been on the 10-day injured list since April 1 with the hamstring issue, so he'll likely need to play in at least a handful of rehab games at some point down the road before Arizona activates him. He doesn't look like he'll be a realistic option for the Diamondbacks outfield until the second half of June.
May 25 2024Thomas (hamstring) has begun light jogging, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Thomas has taken a series of small steps since receiving a platelet-rich plasma injection May 13. He ran in a pool and took live at-bats before commencing a jogging regimen. The Diamondbacks have not set an estimated return date for Thomas, who will first need a rehab assignment before rejoining the club.
May 21 2024Thomas (hamstring) will require a minor-league rehab assignment prior to returning from the 10-day injured list, MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Thomas had been on the verge of returning earlier this month but felt something in his injured left hamstring after a rehab game at Triple-A Reno on May 5. He has since received a platelet-rich plasma injection and is ramping up his activity again, as he recently ran in a pool and took live at-bats. Thomas made 13 plate appearances over three games during his first rehab assignment, which may be a barometer for how much time the outfielder needs on a second rehab stint.
May 19 2024Thomas (hamstring) took five at-bats at the Diamondbacks' training facility Friday, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: This was Thomas' first activity of any kind after receiving a platelet-rich plasma injection Monday. The outfielder was on a path to be activated; however, Thomas suffered a setback in the days leading up to a potential activation. The next step is for Thomas to be cleared for full baseball activity.
May 13 2024Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said Monday that Thomas received a platelet-rich plasma injection for his left hamstring, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Thomas was expected to return from the 10-day injured list week after making three minor-league rehab appearances, but he suffered a setback in his recovery from the strained left hamstring and was sent in for an MRI. After receiving multiple medical opinions on the MRI, Thomas was recommended for the PRP injection to address the swelling in the lower part of his hamstring. He'll likely rest for the next several days while he waits for the shot to take full effect before he resumes baseball activities.
May 11 2024Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said Thomas (hamstring) will seek a second and third opinion on his MRI results, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Thomas underwent an MRI earlier this week after feeling discomfort during a rehab game Sunday. The next steps for the outfielder should be determined after additional doctors weigh in.
May 7 2024Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said Tuesday that Thomas is headed back to Phoenix to be reevaluated after feeling renewed discomfort in his left hamstring while on a rehab assignment, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Thomas had appeared poised to be activated from the 10-day injured list soon, but now his status is cloudy again following a setback. He first injured the hamstring back on March 31 and had played four rehab games with Triple-A Reno. More clarity on Thomas' situation should be available later this week.
May 6 2024Thomas (hamstring) served as the designated hitter and went 1-for-4 with a double, two RBI and a run scored for Triple-A Reno on Sunday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Thomas, who played in the field Saturday and DH on Friday, has appeared in the three consecutive games. He hit safely in all three and drove in five runs. If there are no setbacks, he's expected to meet up with the Diamondbacks in Cincinnati for a three-game series beginning Tuesday, according to Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports. The Reds have right-hander Frankie Montas scheduled to throw Tuesday, so the lefty-hitting Thomas could be in the lineup for the series opener.
May 4 2024Thomas (hamstring) served as the designated hitter and went 1-for-4 with two RBI for Triple-A Reno on Friday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Thomas began a rehab assignment Friday, signaling a pending return to the majors. Per Alex Weiner of Arizon Sports.com, Thomas will play the field Saturday for Reno and then serve as a DH again Sunday. The Diamondbacks are hopeful to bring Thomas back from the 10-day injured list ahead of Tuesday's series opener in Cincinnati.
May 3 2024Thomas (hamstring) will start as the designated hitter for Triple-A Reno on Friday, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Thomas has been progressing through a left hamstring strain he sustained against the Rockies on March 31. Friday's stint with Triple-A Reno will be Thomas' first rehab assignment, and he will play in center field over the weekend. Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo hinted Friday that Thomas could return from the 10-day IL as soon as Tuesday, per Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic.
Apr 24 2024Thomas (hamstring) has taken batting practice is now advancing to running the bases, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Thomas was set commence the baserunning portion of his recovery Wednesday. Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said he's not yet at full speed but is progressing well in his recovery. The Diamondbacks do not yet have a target date for the outfielder to begin a rehab assignment.
Apr 12 2024Thomas (hamstring) told reporters Friday that he has started facing live pitching and expects to start running bases next week, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Thomas landed on the team's 10-day IL on April 1 after sustaining a left hamstring strain. He hasn't done any fielding yet, but he has faced live pitches and is making progress in his rehab. Last season with the Diamondbacks, Thomas slashed .230/.273/.374with nine home runs and 39 RBI over 402 plate appearances.
Apr 1 2024Thomas was placed on the 10-day injured list by the Diamondbacks on Monday with a strained left hamstring, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Thomas suffered the injury during Sunday's game and subsequent testing revealed either a Grade 1 or Grade 2 strain, the outfielder told Jesse Friedman of GoPHNX.com. It would suggest a longer than a minimum stay on the IL is probably likely, although there's no definitive timetable.Jake McCarthy should see the biggest boost in playing time for the Diamondbacks while Thomas is sidelined.
Mar 31 2024Thomas exited Sunday's series finale with the Rockies due to left hamstring tightness, Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Thomas was forced out of the contest in the third inning with what is now understood to be a hamstring injury. The outfielder will likely be considered day-to-day for the time being with the Diamondbacks starting a four-game series with the Yankees on Monday.
Mar 30 2024Thomas went 1-for-4 with a three-run home run in Friday's 7-3 win over Colorado. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Thomas broke open the game with his first home run as part of a four-run sixth inning. He's started in center field in both games thus far, but his well-documented struggles against left-handers could affect his playing time once Randal Grichuk (ankle) is ready to go. Grichuk began a rehab assignment at Triple-A Reno on Friday and started in center field.
Mar 29 2024Thomas started in center field and batted eighth Thursday, going 2-for-5 with a double, an RBI and a run scored in a 16-1 win over the Rockies on Opening Day. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The 23-year-old struggled against left-handers last season, but he got the start against Kyle Freeland to kick off 2024 with Randal Grichuk (ankle) on the IL to begin the year. Thomas had one hit in three plate appearances total against southpaws Thursday, but it's unclear if the Diamondbacks plan a strict platoon with him, as had just 81 plate appearances against left-handers in 2023. Until Grichuk gets healthy though, Arizona doesn't have an outfielder on its bench who hits from the right side.
Mar 6 2024Thomas worked on retooling his swing over the offseason in an effort to create more balance and also separation in activating his hips, shoulders and hands, Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Thomas' father and personal hitting coach, Allen, partnered with a trainer named Chad Miller to open a high-tech hitting company named ID Evolution last spring, and Alek revamped his swing this winter while working with the company's staff. While Thomas said his new swing doesn't feel totally natural yet, he's noticing positive results so far this spring. He hit a ball 116 miles per hour against a Triple-A pitcher prior to spring training, which is notable given that his max exit velocity in his two major-league seasons was 111.3 mph. Thomas has slashed just .230/.274/.359 so far in the big leagues, but the 23-year-old is a former top prospect who hit .316/.391/.500 in the minors. Perhaps the new swing will allow him to come closer to realizing his offensive potential.
Mar 5 2024Thomas started in center field and 0-for-3 in Tuesday's spring game against the Padres. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Thomas was held out of games while dealing with inflammation in his right wrist. He made a sliding catch on a sinking liner, showing off the stellar defense that finished 2023 with five defensive runs saved and six outs above average. The challenge for Thomas will be to figure out how to stay in the lineup against lefties. The outfielder batted .143 with a .435 OPS over 81 plate appearances last year.
Feb 27 2024Thomas (wrist) isn't expected to resume swinging a bat until at least Friday, Jody Jackson of Bally Sports Arizona reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The 23-year-old was scratched from Monday's spring lineup due to wrist soreness, and he was diagnosed with inflammation after receiving medical imaging. It doesn't appear to be a serious issue, so Thomas could return to game action shortly after he resumes taking swings.
Feb 26 2024Thomas was held out of the lineup for Monday's Cactus League game against the Athletics due to wrist soreness, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Thomas tracked balls during live batting practice instead. Manager Torey Lovullo said he's not worried about the injury, adding that Thomas could have played Monday, if needed. The young outfielder should be back in the lineup later this week.
Oct 24 2023Thomas is not in the lineup Tuesday for Game 7 of the NLCS against the Phillies. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Southpaw Ranger Suarez is taking the ball for the Phils, so the left-handed hitting Thomas will take a seat. There's a good chance Thomas will enter the game eventually once Philadelphia goes to its bullpen. Corbin Carroll will shift over to center field while Tommy Pham handles right.
Oct 20 2023Thomas isn't in the Diamondbacks' lineup for Game 4 of the NLCS against Philadelphia. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: With left-hander Cristopher Sanchez set to start on the mound for the Phillies, the lefty-hitting Thomas will retreat to the bench for the beginning of Friday's contest. Lourdes Gurriel, Corbin Carroll and Tommy Pham will start across the outfield while Thomas sits.
Oct 19 2023Thomas is not in the lineup for Game 3 of the NLCS on Thursday versus the Phillies. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Lourdes Gurriel, Corbin Carroll and Tommy Pham will start across the outfield as the Diamondbacks take on left-hander Ranger Suarez. Thomas slashed just .143/.175/.260 in 81 plate appearances against lefties during the regular season and has gone 0-for-5 with a sacrifice fly through the first two games of the National League Championship Series.
Sep 26 2023Thomas went 1-for-5 with a double and two RBI in Monday's 6-4 loss to the Yankees. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Thomas delivered a two-out, two-run double in the first inning to give Arizona an early lead. The outfielder has scuffled during the month of September, going 13-for-67 (.194) with a .579 OPS, but the inconsistent Thomas has driven in 13 runs over 21 games this month. That's the most RBI he's had in any month this season.
Sep 17 2023Thomas is not in the lineup for Sunday's game versus the Cubs. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Thomas has a .539 OPS through 15 games in September and will sit Sunday after making three straight starts. Corbin Carrol will move to center field while Jake McCarthy starts in right.
Sep 15 2023Thomas went 1-for-4 with a three-run home run in Friday's 6-4 win over the Cubs. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Thomas padded the Diamondbacks' lead in the sixth inning with his second homer and eighth hit over 14 contests this month. Despite his mediocre hitting of late, he's still playing more often than not. The outfielder has posted a .236/.278/.390 slash line with nine long balls, 35 RBI, 47 runs scored and nine stolen bases through 112 games this season while seeing the bulk of his playing time in center field.
Sep 13 2023Thomas is out of the lineup Wednesday against the Mets. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Lourdes Gurriel, Jake McCarthy and Tommy Pham will start across the outfield for the Diamondbacks as they take on left-hander Joey Lucchesi. Thomas has batted just .121/.159/.182 in 69 plate appearances versus southpaws this year.
Sep 11 2023Thomas is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Mets. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The lefty-hitting Thomas will head to the bench for the series opener while the Mets bring southpaw Jose Quintana to the hill. With Thomas taking a seat, the Diamondbacks will start an outfield trio of Lourdes Gurriel, Corbin Carroll and Tommy Pham from left to right.
Sep 9 2023Thomas isn't in the Diamondbacks' lineup Saturday against the Cubs. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: With lefty Justin Steele on the mound for Chicago, the left-handed bat of Thomas will remain in Arizona's dugout to begin Saturday's contest. Corbin Carroll will slide to center field while Thomas sits, moving Tommy Pham into right field and Evan Longoria in as the D-backs' DH.
Sep 8 2023Thomas went 1-for-4 with one steal in Friday's 1-0 win over the Cubs. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Thomas has now stolen bases in back-to-back games after also swiping a bag in Thursday's victory over the Cubs. He also posted the hardest hit ball of the game with a 109.3-mph single in the ninth inning. The 23-year-old has produced a .263 batting average with six homers and six stolen bases over 210 plate appearances since being recalled from Triple-A on June 19.
Sep 6 2023Thomas went 2-for-4 with a home run and five RBI in Wednesday's 12-5 win over the Rockies. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Thomas put the Diamondbacks in front 6-5 in the third inning with a three-run homer off Chris Flexen, his eighth of the season, before driving in two more runs with a base hit in the fourth. Thomas had gone just 2-for-20 with one RBI in seven games before Wednesday's contest, and the home run was his first since Aug. 1. Overall, the 23-year-old outfielder is slashing .241/.284/.396 with 44 runs scored, 31 RBI and seven steals through 325 plate appearances this season. Thomas has gotten regular playing time against right-handed pitching, though he could see an expanded role if Corbin Carroll (wrist) is forced to miss time.
Sep 5 2023Thomas is not in the lineup Tuesday versus the Rockies. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Lourdes Gurriel, Corbin Carroll and Tommy Pham will start across the outfield for the Diamondbacks as they take on left-hander Kyle Freeland. Thomas has batted just .108 with a .304 OPS in 67 plate appearances against lefties this year.
Aug 29 2023Thomas is out of the lineup Tuesday against the Dodgers. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Lourdes Gurriel, Corbin Carroll and Tommy Pham will start across the outfield for the Diamondbacks as they take on left-hander Clayton Kershaw. Thomas has slashed .098/.127/.164 in 63 plate appearances versus lefties this year.
Aug 24 2023Thomas is not in the lineup Thursday versus the Reds. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Lourdes Gurriel, Corbin Carroll and Tommy Pham will start across the outfield for the Diamondbacks as they face off against left-hander Brandon Williamson. Thomas has slashed just .100/.129/.167 in 62 plate appearances off southpaws this year.
Aug 20 2023Thomas went 3-for-4 with an RBI, a run scored and a stolen base in the first game of Saturday's doubleheader sweep over the Padres. He went 2-for-3 with three runs scored in the second game. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Thomas busted out with his first multi-hit game since July 29. August hasn't been kind to the outfielder, who entered Saturday's doubleheader batting .219 (7-for-32) during 15 games this month. Thomas has been a better hitter since a return from the minors in June, but the Diamondbacks will continue to limit his exposure to southpaws.
Aug 15 2023Thomas is out of the lineup Tuesday at Colorado. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Lourdes Gurriel, Corbin Carroll and Tommy Pham will start across the outfield for the Diamondbacks as they face off against Rockies left-hander Ty Blach. Thomas has batted just .077/.111/.154 in 54 plate appearances versus southpaws this year.
Aug 12 2023Thomas isn't starting Saturday against the Padres, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Thomas will take a seat Saturday as Rich Hill prepares to start on the mound for the Padres. Corbin Carroll will slide over to center field, allowing Jake McCarthy to start in right field.
Aug 11 2023Thomas isn't in Arizona's lineup Friday against the Padres. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: With left-hander Blake Snell starting on the mound for San Diego, Thomas will take a seat to begin Friday's game. Corbin Carroll will shift to center field in Thomas' place, and Jake McCarthy will get the nod in right.
Aug 8 2023Thomas isn't in the Diamondbacks' lineup Tuesday against the Dodgers. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: With left-hander Julio Urias set to start on the mound for Los Angeles, the lefty-hitting Thomas will remain in the dugout for the beginning of Tuesday's contest. Corbin Carroll will shift over to center field in Thomas' place, and Jake McCarthy will start in right.
Aug 6 2023Thomas is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Twins. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The lefty-hitting Thomas will sit for the second time this weekend while the Twins bring a southpaw (Dallas Keuchel) to the hill for the series finale. With the Diamondbacks acquiring outfielder/designated hitter Tommy Pham from the Mets on Tuesday, Thomas and fellow left-handed hitter Jake McCarthy would seem to be most at risk of losing playing time.
Aug 4 2023Thomas isn't in Arizona's lineup Friday against Minnesota. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: After going 1-for-13 with a homer and six strikeouts in his last five games, Thomas will get a day off Friday to regroup. Corbin Carroll will slide over to center field in Thomas' absence, allowing Tommy Pham to start in left and bat fifth.
Aug 1 2023Thomas went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Tuesday's 4-3 loss to the Giants. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Thomas has been steady of late, going 9-for-31 (.290) with two homers and four RBI over his last 10 contests. The outfielder is up to seven long balls in 73 games this season, one homer shy of matching his total from last year. He's added a .239/.274/.419 slash line with 20 RBI, 31 runs scored, five stolen bases, 13 doubles and three triples over 234 plate appearances.
Jul 30 2023Thomas is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Mariners. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Thomas has a .256/.273/.442 slash line in 12 games since the All-Star break, and he'll take a seat Sunday with righty Luis Castillo taking the mound for Seattle. Corbin Carroll will shift to center field while Lourdes Gurriel and Dominic Canzone start in the corner outfield.
Jul 22 2023Thomas will be on the bench against lefty Brandon Williamson and the Reds on Saturday, Jody Jackson of Bally Sports Arizona reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Thomas has hit well since returning to the big leagues in mid-June, slashing .293/.301/.524 with four homers in 25 games. Part of his success may stem from the fact that the Diamondbacks have shielded him from facing lefties, starting him against just one of the five the team has faced in the last month. Corbin Carroll will shift to center field Saturday, with Lourdes Gurriel Jr. taking Carroll's usual spot in left.
Jul 10 2023Thomas went 2-for-3 with a solo home run in Sunday's 4-2 loss to Pittsburgh. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Thomas' third-inning homer was his second in as many games. In a promising sign, the home run came off a lefty, an area of weakness for the outfielder 2023 and what had him demoted to Triple-A Reno earlier. He's 3-for-42 overall against southpaws and 2-for-6 since being recalled mid-June. Thomas is batting .328/.339/.569 over 19 games since his return to the majors.
Jul 8 2023Thomas went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and an additional RBI in Saturday's 3-2 extra-inning win against Pittsburgh. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Thomas made out in his first two plate appearances before coming up big late in the contest. He smacked a game-tying solo shot to lead off the eighth inning, providing the Diamondbacks with their first run of the game. Thomas then reached on an infield single in the 10th to again knock in the tying run. The outfielder had been struggling coming into Saturday, batting .192 (5-for-26) with no RBI over his previous 10 contests.
Jul 2 2023Thomas will start in center field and bat ninth in Sunday's game against the Angels. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Even with the Diamondbacks facing off against a southpaw (Reid Detmers) in the series finale, the lefty-hitting Thomas will return to the lineup after sitting out Saturday's 3-1 win. Thomas has now started in 11 of the Diamondbacks' last 13 games overall and appears to have re-established himself as a near-everyday player in the Arizona outfield following the recent demotion of Pavin Smith to Triple-A Reno.
Jun 26 2023Thomas went 3-for-4 with a double, a stolen base and a run scored in Sunday's 5-2 win over San Francisco. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Thomas rejoined the starting lineup after getting Saturday off and logged a third multi-hit effort in the seven games since being called up from Triple-A Reno. The outfielder is 10-for-25 (.400) with a home run, three doubles, three RBI and six runs scored since returning to the majors. Of note, he's had just one at-bat against a left-hander during this recent run, and futility against southpaws (1-for-36) was the primary reason he was demoted to the minors in May.
Jun 24 2023Thomas isn't in Arizona's lineup Saturday against the Giants. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: After going 7-for-21 with a homer, three RBI and five runs scored across his last five games, Thomas will get a breather Saturday. His absence moves Corbin Carroll into center field, Lourdes Gurriel in left and allows Pavin Smith to serve as the D-backs' DH while batting sixth.
Jun 22 2023Thomas went 3-for-5 with a double, an RBI and a run scored in Wednesday's 5-1 win over the Brewers. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Thomas, who was called up from Triple-A Reno on Monday, returned to MLB in a big way, going 6-for-13 with a double, homer, three RBI and four runs scored over the three-game series in Milwaukee. As good as Thomas was during the series, including superlative defense in center field, it remains to be seen if he's solved the issue of hitting against left-handed pitching. Thomas had one at-bat against a southpaw during the series -- a fielder's choice grounder to second base (89.4 mph exit velocity) against Milwaukee's Hoby Milner on Tuesday -- but the overall results were encouraging that the 23-year-old outfielder will continue to do in the majors what he did in the minors over the last month (.348/.409/.518).
Jun 19 2023Thomas went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run and an additional run in a 9-1 win against the Brewers on Monday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Thomas spent over a month in the minors before he was recalled Monday, and the adjustments he made while with Triple-A Reno appeared to have paid off, at least for one game. The outfielder wasted little time announcing his return, smacking a two-run shot off Corbin Burnes in the first inning. If Thomas continues to hit well, he could challenge Pavin Smith -- who has posted a mediocre .674 OPS on the season -- for playing time in right field moving forward.
Jun 17 2023Thomas adjusted his swing in the minors and is batting .349/.413/.500 over 25 games at Triple-A Reno, Theo Mackie of the Arizona Republic reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Thomas, who opened the season in the Diamondbacks' outfield, was demoted to Triple-A on May 17. His struggles against left-handers -- 1-for-36 with a single -- was the main reason Thomas was sent down. He immediately got to work on his swing mechanics with Drew Hedman, the organization's director of minor league hitting coach. They started by ditching a leg kick, but Hedman and Thomas eventually settled on improving the timing of his weight transfer, which seems to have worked against pitchers of either hand. Thomas is slashing .314/.324/.429 against southpaws.
May 18 2023The Diamondbacks will work on fixing Thomas' swing while he's in the minors, Theo Mackie of the Arizona Republic reports. Thomas was demoted to Triple-A Reno on Wednesday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Specifically, the organization is focused on excessive movement in the lower half of his body, which can lead to groundballs rolled over to the right side of the infield. There's also been an issue identifying strikes on outer half of the plate. "There's a lot of excessive movement with the lower half which is creating some force moving forward," said manager Torey Lovullo. "I know to impact the baseball but I feel like it was changing his sightlines." In addition to work at the plate, Lovullo identified areas in the field that Thomas needs to address, like routes taken on batted balls and taking the proper angle. Dominic Fletcher will take over in the outfield while Thomas works at Reno.
May 17 2023Arizona optioned Thomas to Triple-A Reno on Wednesday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The writing seemed to be on the wall for Thomas' demotion while he had begun to lose out on playing time against right-handed pitchers lately. The 23-year-old could use a reset, as he's managed just a .195/.252/.327 batting line with two home runs in his first 39 games this season. Dominic Fletcher has displaced him as Arizona's primary center fielder.
May 14 2023Thomas is out of the lineup Sunday against the Marlins. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: For the second time in three games, Thomas is on the bench against a right-hander (Logan Webb). The 23-year-old looks like he could be on the outs for a full-time role in the Arizona outfield, at least for as long as red-hot rookie Dominic Fletcher continues to sizzle at the plate. Fletcher has posted a monstrous 1.232 OPS since his April 30 call-up from Triple-A Reno, while Thomas has supplied a .567 OPS during that same two-week stretch.
May 11 2023Thomas started in center field and went 0-for-2 with an RBI in Wednesday's 5-4 loss to the Marlins. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Thomas made his first start since Saturday, a stretch that included one righty and two lefty opposing starters. He was eventually removed for a pinch hitter in the sixth inning against lefty reliever Tanner Scott. The outfielder is 1-for-33 (.030) against southpaws, and it appears to be costing him at-bats. His underlying numbers suggest bad luck, but he's noticed pitchers are attacking a weakness, balls on the outside part of the plate, per Theo Mackie of the Arizona Republic. "That's all they're doing is painting away, painting away," Thomas said. "It's probably a good idea. If they bring it somewhere in the zone, I feel like I'll be able to hit it." Overall this season, Thomas is slashing .196/.259/.333 over 112 plate appearances.
May 9 2023Thomas remains out of the lineup Tuesday against the Marlins. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Thomas hasn't appeared in the Diamondbacks' starting lineup since Saturday and he will take a seat again Tuesday with left-hander Jesus Luzardo toeing the slab for Miami. Thomas has tallied only one hit -- a single -- in 34 plate appearances this year versus southpaws.
May 8 2023Thomas is not in the Diamondbacks' lineup for Monday's game versus the Marlins. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: It's the second straight game on the bench for Thomas, with one of them coming against a righty and now this one versus a lefty. Corbin Carroll will play center field and Dominic Fletcher will be in left.
May 7 2023Thomas is out of the lineup for Sunday's game versus the Nationals. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Thomas started the past 16 games and will receive Sunday off after he posted a .592 OPS and 33.3 percent strikeout rate during that stretch. Dominic Fletcher will take over in center field and bat seventh.
May 4 2023Thomas went 0-for-5 with a stolen base in Wednesday's 12-7 win over the Rangers. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Thomas stole a bag during Arizona's five-run seventh inning, his third theft in four attempts through 29 games. It's been rough going for the second-year outfielder, whose average dipped to .176. For those employing Thomas in fantasy lineups, the silver lining is that his expected average (.253) indicates bad luck, backed up by a .209 BABIP.