Steven Souza reinstated from disabled list, D-backs option Christian Walker

The Arizona Diamondbacks reinstated outfielder Steven Souza from the 10-day disabled list on Thursday and optioned infielder Christian Walker to Triple-A Reno.

Souza, who was acquired in an offseason three-team trade, began the year on the DL with a strained right pectoral muscle.

The 29-year-old right fielder will bat fifth in the lineup against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday, behind Chris Owings, Nick Ahmed, Paul Goldschmidt and A.J. Pollock.

Souza did not require a rehab assignment and has more than 50 at-bats in extended spring training, Arizona general manager Mike Hazen told Doug & Wolf on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station.

Last season for Tampa Bay, Souza slashed .236/.325/.426 with 30 home runs and 78 RBI.

To acquire him, Arizona dealt infielder Brandon Drury to the New York Yankees and pitching prospect Anthony Banda to the Tampa Bay Rays on Feb. 20. The D-backs received Souza and pitcher Taylor Widener in the trade, and this week completed it by sending pitching prospects Sam McWilliams and Colin Poche to Tampa Bay. The Rays also shipped infielder Nick Solak to the Yankees as part of the deal.

As for the Thursday lineup, Owings, who has shared right field with Jarrod Dyson in place of Souza, will shift to left field as manager Torey Lovullo remains cautious with regular starter David Peralta, who on Monday was hit in the hand with a pitch.

Peralta took one at-bat a day later and started Wednesday.

Walker heads to Reno after struggling with Arizona as a pinch-hitter. He went 2-of-15 with three walks, a double and a home run.

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