Smith is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Angels.
With the Angels sending a lefty starter (Sam Aldegheri) to the hill for the second straight day, the left-handed-hitting Smith will once again head to the bench. LuJames Groover will get the nod at first base in place of Smith.
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Diamondbacks' Pavin Smith: Swats homer in win
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Smith went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Monday's 4-3 win over the Angels.
Smith launched a solo home run in the seventh inning off the foul pole in right field to give Arizona a 3-2 lead. It was the first home run he's hit in 357 days. Smith has struggled since coming off the injured list and entered Monday's contest batting .087 (2-for-23) over 11 games since his return. Despite the grind, manager Torey Lovullo still plans to give him opportunities at first base or designated hitter when the Diamondbacks face right-handers.
Smith entered Thursday's game to play first base after Ildemaro Vargas (thigh) was removed in the fifth inning. Smith went 0-for-1 in a 3-2 win over the Dodgers.
The lefty-hitting Smith would not have been the first choice as a replacement with Dodgers southpaw Justin Wrobleski still on the mound, but Jose Fernandez was already in the game as the DH. The Diamondbacks typically limit Smith's exposure to left-handers. Vargas is day-to-day and is not expected to suit up Friday against Washington lefty Foster Griffin, but it's unlikely Smith will be in the starting lineup.
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Diamondbacks' Pavin Smith: Expected DH against RHPs
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Smith is expected to take on the designated hitter spot most of the time against right-handers, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports.
That was Smith's job Monday, when he was activated off the 60-day injured list. He was on the bench for Tuesday's game against Dodgers lefty Eric Lauer but entered as a pinch hitter against a right-handed reliever. Smith's return mostly affects Adrian Del Castillo but could also eat into Ildemaro Vargas's playing time at first base.
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Diamondbacks' Pavin Smith: Aiming to return next week
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Manager Torey Lovullo said Tuesday that Smith (elbow) could return from the injured list sometime during Arizona's series against the Dodgers next week, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.
Smith began a rehab assignment in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League on Monday. Although his extended stint on the IL following elbow surgery would suggest that he's due for a lengthy stay in the minors, the Diamondbacks are seemingly trying to bring him back relatively quickly. Once activated, Smith will contend for starts against right-handers at first base and at designated hitter.
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Diamondbacks' Pavin Smith: Ramping up activity
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Smith (elbow ) has begun a throwing program, MLB.com reports.
Smith, who began taking dry swings earlier this month, has added another baseball activity in his recovery from elbow surgery. He underwent a procedure to remove loose bodies April 16. The Diamondbacks have not yet offered an estimated timetable for Smith's return. He's currently on the 60-day injured list and eligible to return May 29.
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Diamondbacks' Pavin Smith: Undergoes surgery
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Smith underwent surgery to remove bone chips from his left elbow Thursday, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports.
The bone chips were the cause of the inflammation that Smith began experiencing during spring training. A timeline for his return was not given, but he's currently on the 60-day injured list and can't be reinstated until May 29.
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Diamondbacks' Pavin Smith: Slated for surgery
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Manager Torey Lovullo said that Smith will undergo surgery Wednesday to remove loose bodies from his left elbow, Chris Garagiola of the Arizona Diamondbacks Radio Network reports.
Smith landed on the 10-day injured list in late March due to elbow inflammation before being transferred to the 60-day IL on Tuesday. His surgery is expected to keep him sidelined for approximately 6-to-8 weeks, lining him up to return sometime in late May or early June. Adrian Del Castillo and Jose Fernandez have made most of the starts at designated hitter while Smith has been out.
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Diamondbacks' Pavin Smith: Taking seat Monday
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Smith is not in the lineup for Monday's contest versus the Tigers.
Smith had started each of the previous two games after overcoming a sore elbow, but he'll begin Monday's festivities on the bench. Ildemaro Vargas will serve as the designated hitter and bat eighth for the Diamondbacks.
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Diamondbacks' Pavin Smith: Makes season debut
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Smith started at designated hitter and went 0-for-2 with two walks and a run scored in Friday's 5-4 loss to the Dodgers.
Smith returned from an elbow issue that got him scratched from Thursday's season opener. The lefty batter should be in the lineup whenever Arizona faces a right-hander, either at DH or first base. The switch-hitting Carlos Santana has started the first two games at first base.
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Diamondbacks' Pavin Smith: Late addition to lineup
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Smith (elbow) will serve as Arizona's designated hitter and bat fifth Friday against the Dodgers.
Smith was a late scratch from Thursday's lineup due to elbow soreness. MRI results on his elbow came back clean Friday, and after feeling good following pregame batting practice, he's been given the green light to DH. The 30-year-old will aim to get off to a fast start after slashing .318/.318/.545 across 44 plate appearances in the Cactus League.
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Diamondbacks' Pavin Smith: Will have MRI on elbow
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Smith will undergo an MRI on his left elbow Friday, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.
Smith was initially in Thursday's Opening Day lineup against Yoshinobu Yamamoto but was scratched with left elbow soreness. Tim Tawa instead made the start at designated hitter and hit ninth for Arizona. Tawa, Jorge Barrosa and Ildemaro Vargas would be candidates for increased playing time if Smith needs to miss more action.
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Diamondbacks' Pavin Smith: Extends hit streak
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Smith started at first base and went 1-for-4 with an RBI in Thursday's spring game against the White Sox. He also stole a base.
Smith, who returned to action after missing a week of Cactus League play due to a forearm injury, immediately extended his spring hit streak to eight games. His first-inning single plated Arizona's first run, before he stole his first base of the spring later in the frame. Steals are not typically a feature of Smith's game; he's swiped seven bags (10 attempts) over six MLB seasons. The lefty-batter is slashing .303/.303/.606 with two doubles, one triple, two home runs and five RBI through 11 spring contests. That's likely enough to retain his projected role as the primary first baseman against right-handers.
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Diamondbacks' Pavin Smith: In Thursday's lineup
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Smith (forearm) will start at first base and bat third in Thursday's Cactus League game against the White Sox.
Smith was originally expected to return from his forearm injury Wednesday, but he'll now make his return after an extra day of rest. He's posted a .966 OPS through 29 plate appearances this spring and will have one more week of Cactus League games to prepare for the regular season.
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Diamondbacks' Pavin Smith: Finds home at first base
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Arizona general manager Mike Hazen said Tuesday that Smith will stick to first base instead of playing multiple positions this season, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports. "We've never really given him a spot to sort of solidify himself defensively, Hazen said of Smith, who at times has been used as an outfielder. "We'll be doing that this year."
Entering camp, the Diamondbacks plan to platoon Smith (against right-handers) with Carlos Santana (against lefties). Implied in the general manager's comments is the expectation that Smith will show improved defense, which would help him maintain the strongside platoon role. Smith recorded a .258/.362/.434 slash line with eight home runs and 28 RBI over 87 games and 287 plate appearances in 2025, the most playing time he's had since 2021.
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Diamondbacks' Pavin Smith: Team explores alternatives at 1B
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Smith could face competition at first base with the Diamondbacks interested free agent Carlos Santana, according to John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports.
Smith heads into spring training as the putative starter at first base against right-handers, but the organization isn't done adding pieces. Arizona general manager Mike Hazen told Steve Gilbert of MLB.com that he'd like find another "complementary first baseman." Santana is a switch hitter that could fit in a platoon with Smith while also supplanting him from the left side. Gambadoro's report also indicates that the team is talking with other free agent first basemen, including former D-back Paul Goldschmidt.
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Diamondbacks' Pavin Smith: Likely done for season
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Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said Saturday that Smith (quadriceps) is "trending toward" missing the remainder of the season, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports.
Smith landed on the 10-day injured list Friday with a quad strain suffered Wednesday. His absence opens up playing time at first base and designated hitter. Tyler Locklear has started at first base in the two games since Smith sustained the injury, while Ketel Marte has operated as the DH.
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Diamondbacks' Pavin Smith: Idle due to quad tightness
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Smith (quadriceps) is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Brewers.
After exiting early in Wednesday's 3-2 win due to left quad tightness, Smith will take a seat for Thursday's matinee contest. The Diamondbacks seem to be classifying Smith as day-to-day, and even if he had emerged from Wednesday's contest without an injury, he likely would have been in line to sit Thursday since the Brewers are sending a lefty starter (Jose Quintana) to the bump. Tyler Locklear will get the nod at first base in the series finale.
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Diamondbacks' Pavin Smith: Exits with trainer
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Smith was removed from Wednesday's game against the Brewers due to left quadriceps tightness.
Smith tweaked his quad while running out of the batter's box after hitting a single in the seventh inning, and he was immediately lifted for a pinch runner. The severity of his injury remains unclear, but more details may emerge after the game. If the 29-year-old ends up needing to miss time, Tyler Locklear would be the next man up to start at first base.
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Diamondbacks' Pavin Smith: Hitless in return
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Smith started at first base and went 0-for-2 before being lifted for a pinch hitter in Monday's 3-1 loss to Cleveland.
Smith was activated off the injured list Monday and was in the lineup against a right-hander. He was eventually pinch hit for against a lefty reliever by the right-handed batting Tyler Locklear, who had served as the primary first baseman since the Diamondbacks traded Josh Naylor. The two could operate as a platoon at the cold corner while Arizona is nominally a competitor for the postseason. At some point, the organization may want to see if the 24-year-old Locklear is a long-term solution.
