D-backs recall Leyba, option Cron to Reno; acquire Lively from Royals

The Arizona Diamondbacks have recalled infielder Domingo Leyba from Triple-A Reno after optioning infielder Kevin Cron to Reno following Friday night’s game and have also acquired right-handed pitcher Ben Lively from the Kansas City Royals for cash considerations.

Lively has been assigned to Reno, bringing the D-backs’ 40-man roster to 40.

In 66 games for the Aces this season, Leyba has a slash line of .289/.343/.515 including 10 home runs, 42 RBI and 24 doubles. He will be making his MLB debut once he steps between the lines donning No. 2 on the back of his jersey. The middle infielder has made 32 and 33 appearances at second base and shortstop, respectively.

The 23-year-old switch-hitter has a career .285/.343/.418 slash line to go along with 37 home runs, 250 RBI, 132 doubles and 21 triples in 550 games over the span of seven seasons in the Detroit Tigers’ and D-backs’ organizations, splitting time between second base (210 appearances) and shortstop (329 appearances).

After being acquired with Robbie Ray in the Didi Gregorius trade in December of 2014, Leyba was named the No. 2 and No. 3 prospect in the Diamondbacks’ organization by MLB.com and Baseball America, respectively, the latter of which also deemed him the 2015 California League Best Defensive Infielder.

Lively has only made one appearance for the Royals this season. In 17 outings for Triple-A Omaha on the 2019 campaign, the 27-year-old is 4-1 with a 4.07 ERA, 41 punchouts and a .252 opponent batting average in 42 innings pitched.

Over his last eight appearances, the right-hander is 2-0 with one save, a 1.63 ERA, .220 opponent average and 16 strikeouts in 16.1 innings pitched. Lively was selected by the Cincinnati Reds in the fourth round of the 2013 First-Year Player Draft out of the University of Central Florida.

In 23 games in a D-backs uniform this season, Cron has a .213/.269/.553 slash line that includes four home runs, four doubles and 11 RBI.

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