ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

Paul Goldschmidt returns to lineup after missing five straight games

Sep 9, 2017, 4:00 PM | Updated: 7:26 pm

Arizona Diamondbacks' Paul Goldschmidt connects for a three-run home run against the San Francisco ...

Arizona Diamondbacks' Paul Goldschmidt connects for a three-run home run against the San Francisco Giants during the eighth inning of a baseball game Sunday, Aug. 27, 2017, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt was given the green light to return to the lineup against the San Diego Padres Saturday after missing five straight games due to an elbow issue that kept him sidelined.

Since Sept. 2, Goldschmidt has not been in the lineup, but the D-backs continued to roll, putting up four straight wins against playoff-caliber teams in the Colorado Rockies and the NL-leading Los Angeles Dodgers.

But that doesn’t mean the D-backs don’t want their perennial All-Star back on the field.

Goldschmidt is enjoying perhaps the best season of his career. He ranks among the league leaders in several statistical categories, including batting average (.314, seventh), home runs (33, fifth), RBI (109, tied for third), slugging (.597, fifth), on base (.424, second) and OPS (1.022, fifth).

Arizona Diamondbacks

Arizona Diamondbacks logo...

Haboob Blog

Diamondbacks minor leaguer accomplishes rare 5-strikeout inning

D-backs RHP prospect Jhosmer Alvarez struck out five hitters in a single inning for Single-A Visalia against the Inland Empire 66ers.

59 minutes ago

Corbin Carroll swings and breaks his bat...

Arizona Sports

Corbin Carroll slides to 7th in Diamondbacks’ batting order vs. Cardinals

The Arizona Diamondbacks are shaking up the lineup against the St. Louis Cardinals with Corbin Carroll sliding down the batting order.

4 hours ago

D-backs assistant GM Mike Fitzgerald joins Wolf & Luke to discuss recent injuries to the team, incl...

Bailey Leasure

Assistant GM Mike Fitzgerald: It’s hard to read the Diamondbacks due to injuries

D-backs assistant general manager Mike Fitzgerald admitted judging Arizona has been difficult considering the rash of injuries.

4 hours ago

Pavin Smith drives in six runs as the D-backs beat the Cardinals 14-1....

Associated Press

Pavin Smith drives in 6 runs as Diamondbacks rout Cardinals

Pavin Smith hits a grand slam and drove in a career-high six runs to help the Diamondbacks to a 14-1 win over the Cardinals Tuesday.

15 hours ago

D-backs put up 14 runs in six innings against the St. Louis Cardinals Tuesday....

Bailey Leasure

Diamondbacks drop Cardinals with home-run party

Pavin Smith hits a grand slam as the D-backs swung early Tuesday, putting up 14 runs as they beat the Cardinals 14-1.

16 hours ago

Starting pitcher Merrill Kelly...

Arizona Sports

Diamondbacks place starter Merrill Kelly on injured list, recall Tommy Henry

The injuries continue for the Arizona Diamondbacks as the team announced Tuesday that Merrill Kelly will go on the 15-day injured list.

20 hours ago

Paul Goldschmidt returns to lineup after missing five straight games