Diamondbacks send Lourdes Gurriel Jr. on rehab assignment

Arizona Diamondbacks left fielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. joined the Triple-A Reno Aces on Tuesday for a rehab assignment as he nears his third injury return this season.

Gurriel started the year on the injured list as he rehabbed from a torn ACL, which he returned from in remarkable time of less than eight months. Injuries have plagued him since then, however, as he suffered a left hamstring strain in May and a right adductor strain in July. He has not played since July 17.

When available, this has been Gurriel’s least productive MLB season with a .207 batting average and .541 OPS.

The Diamondbacks recently got a wave of reinforcements back from the IL, with starter Michael Soroka, reliever Justin Martinez and outfielder Jordan Lawlar back on the active roster.

Gurriel looks like he could be next in line ahead of Tommy Troy and the pitching trio of Corbin Burnes, Zac Gallen and Ryne Nelson. Reliever Drey Jameson (hip inflammation) is also on a rehab assignment with the Aces.

Where Gurriel plays in a crowded outfield when he gets back is another can of worms considering the Diamondbacks have seven outfielder already on the roster, including utility man Tim Tawa.

Corbin Carroll is in right field every day. Right-handed hitters Ryan Waldschmidt and Lawlar can play center or left. Left-handed hitters Max Kepler and Lars Nootbaar have been swapping between left field and designated hitter against righties. Switch-hitter Jorge Barrosa is a late-game substitution most of the time.

With that much depth, Gurriel may have to adapt to a different role when he returns compared to what it was when he went down.

But, first thing is first, Gurriel will start in left field on Tuesday and bat third for Reno against the Salt Lake Bees (Angels).

Batting 3rd, playing left field… 🍍 pic.twitter.com/GZx02HbuCS

— Reno Aces (@Aces) August 18, 2026

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