Jake Lamb designated for assignment by D-backs, Pavin Smith called up
Sep 10, 2020, 1:39 PM | Updated: 7:46 pm
Arizona Diamondbacks' Jake Lamb advances to third base against the Texas Rangers in the fifth inning during a spring training baseball game Thursday, March 5, 2020, in Surprise, Ariz. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
(AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
The Arizona Diamondbacks designated infielder Jake Lamb for assignment on Thursday.
Taking Lamb’s place on the active roster will be 2017 first-round pick Pavin Smith, who was selected from the alternate training site.
Lamb, 29, is the longest-tenured member of the D-backs after making his debut in August of 2014.
The lefty has struggled mightily at the plate since an All-Star campaign in 2017, when he hit .279 in the first half of the season with 20 homers and 67 RBIs. In the second half, he posted a batting average of .204 and trended downhill from there.
Working through injuries the two following seasons, Lamb’s OPS over 464 plate appearances wouldn’t break .700. This year, Lamb has six walks and five hits in 50 plate appearances for an on-base percentage of .240.
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Despite the numbers suggesting Lamb was not the level of player who represented the D-backs at the All-Star Game in 2017, manager Torey Lovullo continued to give Lamb opportunities in the last three seasons, to the frustration of many within the team’s fanbase. Lamb hit .116 in 18 games this year.
Lamb is on the books for a salary of $5.5 million in 2020 and then becomes a free agent in 2021.
Smith hit .291 with 12 homers and 67 RBIs in Double-A Jackson last season, ranking third in OPS (.836) across the Southern League.
