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D-backs Outfield Puzzle: Who Plays Where on Opening Day?
25 Mar
Summary
- Corbin Carroll will start in right field on Opening Day.
- Alek Thomas and Jordan Lawlar are competing for center field.
- Lourdes Gurriel Jr. will return from injury in about a month.
Corbin Carroll has passed his exhibition test and is set to man right field for the Diamondbacks on Opening Day. However, the team is still determining the center field assignment between Alek Thomas and Jordan Lawlar. Manager Torey Lovullo has experimented with both players in center field during exhibition games.
While both players offer defensive capabilities, Lawlar's stronger offensive profile may lead to him playing center field once Lourdes Gurriel Jr. returns from his knee injury in about a month. Gurriel is expected to reclaim the left field position. This potential shift would allow Lawlar's bat to remain in the lineup.
Lovullo indicated that Lawlar's strong spring performance, including a .333 batting average and four home runs, shows his potential. Lawlar, a former top prospect, is expected to bat ninth but serve as a table-setter for the top of the order, aiming to enhance the team's run-scoring potential, which has been elite in recent seasons.
