Diamondbacks’ lineup vs. Tigers rewards Alek Thomas, Nolan Arenado gets day off

The Arizona Diamondbacks’ lineup for Tuesday night against the Detroit Tigers has center fielder Alek Thomas batting fifth after his hard-hitting start to the season and gives infield prospect Jose Fernandez his MLB debut at third base in the sixth hole.

Thomas is batting a pedestrian .200 (3-for-15) through four games, but all three of his knocks have been doubles and he’s driven in four runs. He spent the offseason working on eliminating an overly big front-leg kick in his swing, and the changes have paid early dividends.

The outfielder had previously batted eighth in the order to begin the season.

As for the 22-year-old Fernandez, he made his Triple-A debut on Sunday and got the big leagues call-up Monday with lefty Pavin Smith placed on the 10-day injured list. He also notably matched the MLB Spring Breakout game hits record (three) on March 22 and hit .280 (7-of-25) with three home runs in Cactus League play.

Torey Lovullo on his expectations for Jose Fernandez in his debut. pic.twitter.com/hdpfpwrBmE

— Alex Weiner (@alexjweiner) March 31, 2026

Manager Torey Lovullo said pregame that he’s excited for Fernandez to get his shot on the biggest stage of professional baseball and that he wants him to stick to what has got him here.

“It’s really come together for him, especially last year. He’s impacted the baseball, he’s checking off pitches that he can’t get to, he’s making his plays defensively, so that’s all I’m looking for,” Lovullo told reporters. “Be the best version of yourself and you’re ready for this opportunity.”

Fernandez in 122 games for Double-A Amarillo last season had a team-leading 128 hits (27 doubles and 17 home runs) while primarily slotted at shortstop (894.1 innings) and 77 innings at third base.

After being a fixture in the lineup and at third base the first four games, Nolan Arenado gets the day off his feet.

Full Diamondbacks lineup vs. Tigers

1. Ketel Marte, 2B
2. Corbin Carroll, RF
3. Geraldo Perdomo, SS
4. Gabriel Moreno, DH
5. Alek Thomas, CF
6. Jose Fernandez, 3B
7. Carlos Santana, 1B
8. James McCann, C
9. Jordan Lawlar, LF

Right-hander Brandon Pfaadt will make his first start of the season for Arizona following a limited but efficient spring (0.90 ERA in 10 innings pitched). The 27-year-old is coming off a career-high 33 starts in 2025, where he totaled a 5.25 ERA and collected 13 wins for the D-backs.

Pfaadt will face off with righty Casey Mize, who pitched 149 innings last season for Detroit to the tune of a 3.87 ERA with a career-high 139 strikeouts.

Game 2 of Diamondbacks-Tigers gets underway from Chase Field at 6:40 p.m. Listen to the action on ESPN 620 and the Arizona Sports app.

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