D-backs place Kole Calhoun, Widener on 10-day IL; recall Varsho, Smith
Apr 28, 2021, 3:35 PM | Updated: 6:45 pm
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - APRIL 09: Kole Calhoun #56 of the Arizona Diamondbacks runs to first base against the Cincinnati Reds during the MLB game at Chase Field on April 09, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Reds defeated the Diamondbacks 6-5 in 10 innings. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
The Arizona Diamondbacks placed outfielder Kole Calhoun and starting pitcher Taylor Widener on the 10-day injured list Wednesday.
Calhoun injured his left hamstring while stealing third base Tuesday night in the D-backs’ 5-1 win over San Diego. Manager Torey Lovullo said the injury is still being evaluated and there is no timetable for Calhoun’s return.
“He did it trying to make a great baseball play. It was perfectly timed and he stole a big bag that ended up leading to some run scoring potential,” Lovullo said. “We just need to let him recuperate, get off his feet.”
The right fielder missed the start of the season after undergoing surgery for a torn meniscus in his right leg. He admitted Tuesday that he’s probably been putting more strain on his left leg by taking it a little easier on his right knee.
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In 12 games this season, Calhoun has hit .289 with two home runs and five RBIs.
Widener, who was in line to start Wednesday night, was a surprise addition to the IL with a right groin strain.
Lovullo said the right-hander first noticed the groin strain flare up Tuesday during batting practice. The manager credited Widener to speaking up on the injury.
“Young players in this situation typically will hang on to that, go out there and make a start, and the next thing you know, you’re going to miss six weeks or eight weeks,” Lovullo said.
“But we feel like this is something because of him speaking up, he shortened that length of time, and we don’t know what that length of time is. We’ve just got to continue getting our hands on him and allowing him to give us feedback.”
Widener holds a 2.82 ERA and has allowed seven runs, walked six and struck out 18 over four starts this season.
In corresponding moves, the D-backs called up outfielder Daulton Varsho and pitcher Riley Smith.
Smith will take the mound for Widener’s start Wednesday as the D-backs look to sweep the Padres. The 26-year-old made his first career start for Arizona earlier this month against the Reds, allowing two runs, eight hits and one walk over 6.0 innings while striking out two.
First pitch is at 6:40 p.m. Listen live on ESPN 620 AM.
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