Diamondbacks activate Bloomquist off disabled list

The Arizona Diamondbacks activated infielder Willie Bloomquist off the 15-day disabled list and optioned pitcher David Holmberg to Double-A Mobile on Wednesday, general manager Kevin Towers announced.

Bloomquist, who had been on the DL since July 2 due to a left hand contusion, is in the starting lineup at shortstop for the team’s game against the San Diego Padres Wednesday night. He sustained the injury when he was hit by a pitch on June 26 in a game against the Washington Nationals. On the season, Bloomquist is hitting .292 with 8 RBI in 22 games.

“I feel great,” Bloomquist said Wednesday. “I’ve really felt great since the day they started letting me swing the bat. I haven’t had, knock on wood, any setbacks or anything with it. I think we let it heal up the right amount of time and did the proper amount of rehabilitation stuff on it. So, the hand feels great.”

Holmberg made his first Major League start Tuesday, lasting 3.2 innings and allowing 3 runs. In Double-A, Holmberg sports a 5-7 record with a 2.66 ERA.

“I thought he kept his composure really well considering what went on with the first play and second play [of the game],” D-backs manager Kirk Gibson said of Holmberg’s outing. “Even though they got three runs off of him, he held his composure and kept pitching.

“I think it was a tough zone for both pitchers last night, and he dealt with it. I think he learned a lot.”

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