SAN FRANCISCO –- Diamondbacks third baseman Nolan Arenado was scratched from the starting lineup for Thursday’s game against the Giants after batting practice due to right thumb inflammation.
Rookie Jose Fernandez started in his place in the seventh spot in the order while first baseman Tim Tawa moved from seventh to sixth in the order.
Arenado has been playing through a left intercostal injury, but that doesn’t appear to have been a factor in Thursday’s scratch.
In his first season with the Diamondbacks, Arenado has been a key part of their lineup, hitting 21 homers and driving in 65 runs while playing his usual stellar defense at third base.