Diamondbacks tinker with lineup, moving Geraldo Perdomo down

PHOENIX — The Arizona Diamondbacks are trying out a new lineup construction, moving shortstop Geraldo Perdomo down to seventh for Thursday’s game against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Perdomo has been a staple in the top third of the lineup since the middle of last year, when he established himself as one of the National League’s premier producers with a top-four MVP finish. The last time Perdomo hit seventh or later was July 22, 2025.

Manager Torey Lovullo said Perdomo could move around depending on days off, but the plan is for him to get some footing in the seven-hole for now.

“I just felt like this would be the best thing for him (to) stack up those three guys down at the bottom of the lineup and turn it over to the top,” Lovullo said. “He’ll migrate north. He’s gonna find his way. He’s just grinding right now.”

After producing 20 home runs, 100 RBIs and an .851 OPS last season, Perdomo has not come close to the same level of success at the plate in 2026. His .676 OPS would be his lowest since 2022 if it stuck, and he’s hit three home runs in over two months of games.

Perdomo is still showing many traits he is known for, such as drawing walks and making pitchers work. But his bat speed is down, and there appears to be a sense that he could be pressing to reach the highs he enjoyed previously.

“It’s gonna be a process, and what I explained to him is you can’t go 50-for-50 and get your average and everything back to where you want. It’s like losing weight, you got to get a pound a day,” Lovullo said.

Lovullo noted that Perdomo would have hit seventh on Wednesday if Ketel Marte did not get a day off.

Marte was back in the lineup on Thursday after missing out on a matchup with Shohei Ohtani due to tightness in his hamstrings and lower back.

“He’s in a better spot today, still nursing sore hamstrings and a sore back, we just have to manage that day-by-day,” Lovullo said.

Gabriel Moreno has jumped into the three-hole, as he has been one of the team’s hottest hitters over the past three weeks. He struggled after coming off the injured list last month from a hamstring strain, hitting .103 in his first nine games back.

Since then, Moreno has hit .328 in 16 games entering Thursday, which was his fourth straight day starting behind the dish.

Diamondbacks’ Thursday lineup vs. LHP Justin Wrobleski

1. 2B Ketel Marte
2. RF Corbin Carroll
3. C Gabriel Moreno
4. 3B Nolan Arenado
5. CF Ryan Waldschmidt
6. 1B Ildemaro Vargas
7. SS Geraldo Perdomo
8. DH Jose Fernandez
9. LF Tommy Troy

First pitch on Thursday is at 6:40 p.m. MST on 98.7 and the Arizona Sports app.

Related

Diamondbacks unable to get to Gavin Williams ahead of rain delay in disjointed loss to GuardiansDiamondbacks-Guardians finale resumes after 1.5-hour rain delay, benches clearing beforeDiamondbacks fans react as Dodgers land Cy Young ace Tarik Skubal in blockbuster moveDiamondbacks bullpen holds on to clinch series at Guardians after Paul Sewald shelledDiamondbacks trade deadline: Latest buzz and potential targetsDiamondbacks in sole possession of 2nd NL Wild Card after comeback win over Guardians