The D-Backs placed rookie outfielder Tommy Troy on the 10-day injured list with an AC joint sprain in his right shoulder. The placement is retroactive to July 12. Arizona didn’t announce a corresponding move and is unlikely to do so until Friday, when they open a big series against the Cardinals.
Injured list moves over the All-Star Break are rare. The retroactive nature of Troy’s placement was the impetus for the Snakes doing it on an off day. IL placements can be backdated by a maximum of three days and Troy’s most recent appearance came on Saturday. He’ll miss at least the first six games of the second half.
Troy has stepped into a regular outfield spot with Jordan Lawlar back on the injured list. It’ll likely be a Max Kepler/Lourdes Gurriel Jr. platoon and recently recalled top prospect Ryan Waldschmidt in an everyday role alongside Corbin Carroll for the next couple weeks. Arizona is 2.5 games back in the Wild Card picture and should be in the mix for outfield help if they buy at the deadline. That’s true regardless of Troy’s health status, as he’s out to a middling .223/.299/.364 start to his big league career.
Waldschmidt has also struggled in his first look at major league pitching. Neither Gurriel nor Kepler is hitting. Lawlar has again missed the majority of the season. First base would be the top priority on offense, but they’d also need at least one outfield upgrade.
Arizona figures to monitor the market for rotation help as well. That wasn’t initially expected to be on the to-do list, but the Snakes have lost Ryne Nelson, Zac Gallen and Michael Soroka to injuries. Gallen landed on the shelf a week ago with elbow inflammation. General manager Mike Hazen tells Steve Gilbert of MLB.com that the veteran righty is going for a second opinion, so his recovery timeline is still to be determined. Gallen has a career-worst 6.34 ERA across 19 starts.
