D-backs’ Christian Walker reinstated, Lourdes Gurriel Jr. heads to injured list

The Arizona Diamondbacks have reinstated first baseman Christian Walker from the 10-day injured list and placed outfielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. on the 10-day IL ahead of the team’s series against the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday.

Walker missed more than a month of action, having landed on the IL on July 30 with a left oblique strain. At that point, he had not missed a single game all season and started 105 of 107.

Gurriel left a win against the Dodgers on Sunday with calf tightness. The move to the IL is retroactive to Monday.

Walker brought up the possibility of returning after three weeks, which proved to be a bit soon.

“The oblique thing, it’s a sensitive injury, like one of those things where we rotate so much that it’s unavoidable,” Walker told Arizona Sports on Monday. “You really just got to make sure you trust it and make sure it’s in a good spot. They tend to always last a little bit longer than you think initially.”

Walker played five innings in a continuation camp game at Salt River Fields on Saturday, which went as planned.

Manager Torey Lovullo confirmed on Monday Walker would travel with the team to Oracle Park.

This season, Walker is slashing .254/.338/.476 with 23 home runs and 71 RBIs. He notably blasted five home runs in three games at Dodger Stadium to kick off a hot July for the Diamondbacks’ offense. He is fifth on the D-backs with 2.3 bWAR despite the missed time.

With an early September return, Walker has an opportunity to reach 30 home runs for the third straight seasons.

On defense, Walker still leads all National League first basemen in outs above average with 11, as he will contend for a third straight Gold Glove.

“Still expecting some soreness, and all that is part of healing and part of trusting it again,” Walker said. “Just taking a lot of aggressive swings, checking boxes, taking check swings. I think that’s where the live stuff comes into play, and it’s helpful trying to make decisions, start swinging at a changeup and hitting the brakes and starting to trust it again. You start doing a certain amount of things, and it feels good, and your brain starts letting go of it.”

His injury came just before the trade deadline, allowing the Diamondbacks to trade for Miami Marlins first baseman Josh Bell to fill in the void.

Bell filled the gap nicely early on, recording two multi-homer performances in his first six games with Arizona. Upon Walker’s return, the D-backs plan to give Bell starts against left-handed pitching, primarily as the designated hitter. He will spell Walker occasionally, as Lovullo said Walker will be on a return-to-play progression.

“He’s been playing well. He’s a great guy, hard worker, he cares,” Walker said. “First day out here, he’s asking questions and talking about footwork and stuff. I think he trusts Tony (Perezchica), which is a great start. Tony’s done a lot for my career and and my defense. So I think he’s in good hands and he’s got a great mindset.”

Who could follow Christian Walker off the IL for the D-backs?

Ketel Marte (ankle) and catcher Gabriel Moreno (adductor) remain on the 10-day injured list, although manager Torey Lovullo said he expected Marte back before Moreno.

Marte’s return is possible over this six-game road trip in San Francisco and Houston, Lovullo said.

First pitch of D-backs and Giants from Oracle Park on Tuesday is at 6:45 p.m. on 98.7 and the Arizona Sports app. 

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