Diamondbacks outright OF Yasmany Tomas to Triple-A Reno
Apr 1, 2018, 6:47 PM | Updated: Apr 2, 2018, 11:51 am
(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
The Arizona Diamondbacks outrighted outfielder Yasmany Tomas on Monday, sending him to Triple-A Reno and removing him from the 40-man roster.
The move by the D-backs comes a week after Tomas was optioned to Triple-A Reno with the hope of him improving his defensive game.
Arizona made the decision despite losing fellow outfielder Steven Souza Jr. to a pectoral injury to begin the regular season. Veteran Jarrod Dyson and utility man Chris Owings will help fill in the outfield depth chart.
Tomas left professional baseball in Cuba and signed a six-year, $68-million dollar contract with the Diamondbacks in 2014.
He was the highest-paid position player on the roster with three years and close to $46 million remaining on his contract.
Tomas cleared waivers before being sent to Reno. With three years of service time, the 27-year-old had the ability to decline the assignment and become a free agent but doing so would have vacated his contract.
Tomas, signed by the former D-backs regime led by chief baseball officer Tony La Russa and general manager Dave Stewart, began his tenure with Arizona playing third base. He debuted a month into the 2015 season after beginning his career in the United States with Triple-A Reno and hit .273/.305/.401 with nine homers and 48 RBI as a rookie.
His best year came in 2016, when he slashed .272/.313/.508 and recorded 31 home runs to lead Arizona. Tomas played in just 47 games a year ago due to a core injury that led to two surgeries.
Tomas hit .293 with two RBI and three runs scored in spring training.
