Lawlar (fractured wrist) returns from IL, makes astonishing catch in center

CINCINNATI -- Before the series opener against the Reds on Friday at Great American Ball Park, the Diamondbacks officially reinstated outfielder Jordan Lawlar from the 60-day injured list and subsequently designated veteran backup catcher Aramis Garcia for assignment to clear the necessary 26-man and 40-man roster spots.

Lawlar was promptly inserted in the starting lineup in center field and batted seventh against Cincinnati starter Nick Lodolo. He made a huge impact in the game – and with the center-field wall – when he robbed Matt McLain of extra bases with a sensational grab for the second out in the bottom of the fourth.

“He worked his butt off to get back here,” manager Torey Lovullo said. “So, starting him in center field, I know [there’s curiosity] about what the playing time is going to look like. It's going to be very fluid. There's going to be three guys, four guys for two positions, going to be a little bit of a rotation. They're all going to play.”

“It feels great,” Lawlar said before taking the field on Friday. “I’m excited to be back around this group of guys, and just kind of feel the energy and jump right back in.”

Lawlar will rotate with Jorge Barrosa, Tommy Troy (D-backs' No. 4 prospect) and Ryan Waldschmidt (No. 1 prospect, MLB Pipeline's No. 30 overall) in the Arizona outfield.

Lawlar's return marks the end of a frustrating nine-week absence. The 23-year-old outfielder's campaign was halted during an April 2 game against the Braves. Just hours after launching his first career Major League home run, Lawlar was struck by a 94.3 mph fastball from reliever Osvaldo Bido, resulting in a fractured right wrist.

The injury interrupted an encouraging start where Lawlar had hit .333 over six games and was actively adjusting to a permanent defensive shift from the infield to the outfield.

“Throughout the rehab, not too much,” Lawlar said of thinking about the bad timing. “Initially, yeah, like it's a pretty high high to a pretty low low early on, but you feel it, you be human about it, and then you move on. You see how you can get better in other ways.”

Following a comprehensive rehab assignment split between the Arizona Complex League and Triple-A Reno, Lawlar's activation injects critical athletic depth into a scuffling Diamondbacks lineup. Lovullo will now look to integrate Lawlar's speed and dynamic bat back into the everyday mix.

To facilitate Lawlar's addition to a full 40-man roster, the Diamondbacks chose to cut ties with Garcia. The journeyman catcher had filled an important organizational depth role, notably providing coverage during periods when starter Gabriel Moreno was sidelined. However, with Moreno healthy, James McCann on the roster and Adrian Del Castillo establishing himself as a primary backup option, Garcia became expendable in the face of a severe roster crunch.

Because this marks the second time this season that Garcia has been designated for assignment by the club, he will once again head to the waiver wire, where other teams can claim him, or the Diamondbacks can attempt to outright him to Triple-A.