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Diamondbacks' LuJames Groover: In lineup, but likely to lose PT
Rotowire
Groover will start at designated hitter and bat ninth in Tuesday's game against the Angels.
Though he'll crack the starting nine Tuesday while southpaw Reid Detmers is on the bump for the Angels, Groover appears likely to lose out on regular playing time against right-handed pitching. After Lourdes Gurriel's recent return from the injured list, Arizona has a bit of a logjam in the corner-outfield spots and designated hitter, which has resulted in Pavin Smith drawing starts at first base over Groover in the Diamondbacks' last two matchups with righties. Smith and Groover could continue to work in a quasi-platoon for the time being, but Groover may be at risk of a demotion to Triple-A Reno once Max Kepler (suspension) is eligible to make his Arizona debut June 25. Since being called up from Triple-A earlier this month, Groover has gone 5-for-25 (.200 average) with no extra-base hits, two RBI and one run through his first seven games.
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Diamondbacks' LuJames Groover: Hits in five straight
Rotowire
Groover went 1-for-3 with a walk and an RBI in Friday's 5-2 win over Cincinnati.
The Diamondbacks left several runners in scoring position prior to Groover singling in the game-tying run in the sixth inning. For the night, Arizona was 2-for-12 with RISP. Groover isn't mashing the ball -- he has no extra-base hits -- but the rookie has hit safely in five consecutive starts and remains part of a rotation with Pavin Smith and Ildemaro Vargas at first base and DH.
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Diamondbacks' LuJames Groover: Exiting starting nine
Rotowire
Groover is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game in Miami.
Groover started each of the previous four games after being called up from Triple-A Reno, going 3-for-15 with one RBI and a 0:3 BB:K. The rookie will take a seat Wednesday while Ildemaro Vargas fills in at first base.
Diamondbacks' LuJames Groover: Starts second straight game
Rotowire
Groover started at first base and went 1-for-3 with an RBI in Saturday's 6-1 loss to the Nationals.
Groover, who made a second consecutive start at first base since being called up, recorded his first hit and RBI in the majors. As manager Torey Lovullo told Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports, Groover isn't up with the Diamondbacks "to sit on the bench" and will receive playing time at first base and designated hitter. Left unsaid was that the prospect's playing time would come at the expense of Ildemaro Vargas, who has come off the bench the last two games. It looks like Groover and Pavin Smith will share first base and DH, while Vargas settles back into a utility role.
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Diamondbacks' LuJames Groover: Hitless in debut
Rotowire
Groover went 0-for-4 in Friday's 14-1 loss to the Nationals in his major-league debut.
Groover is set for a short-side platoon role as a corner infielder. The 24-year-old hit .322 with an .873 OPS, three home runs, 39 RBI, 37 runs scored, 16 doubles, one triple and two stolen bases over 56 games prior to his call-up. Groover could challenge Ildemaro Vargas for playing time at first base, and he also offers some cover at third if Nolan Arenado needs to rest his legs.
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Diamondbacks' LuJames Groover: Called up to big leagues
Rotowire
The Diamondbacks selected Groover's contract from Triple-A Reno on Friday.
Groover is set to make his major-league debut after slashing .322/.421/.452 with three home runs, two stolen bases and a 37:43 BB:K over 56 contests for Reno. The 24-year-old has played both corner-infield spots at Reno this season, and the right-handed batter will likely see starts against left-handed hurlers.
Diamondbacks' LuJames Groover: Part of All-Star festivities
Rotowire
Groover was named to the All-Star Futures Game roster Monday, Connor Emery of Arizona Sports reports.
Groover, 23, returned to Double-A Amarillo to start the 2025 season and will likely take the next step to Triple-A Reno. He has a .301/.377/.471 line with 10 home runs and 36 RBI over 67 games for the Sod Poodles. There are questions about Groover's defense, but he's spent all season at third base. He could eventually swing to the cold corner where his defense and quickness won't get in the way of his bat.
Groover was invited to major-league camp for spring training, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports
Groover, the team's second-round selection in 2023, hit .281/.367/.474 last season with 10 home runs in 61 games over three minor-league stops. He missed significant time early with a broken wrist and eventually finished at Double-A Amarillo. Groover made up for lost reps in the Arizona Fall League, where he hit .339 in 18 games. He's spent time on the diamond at first, second and third base, but Groover needs to improve defensively if he's to stick at third. The soon-to-be 23-year-old showed good plate discipline in the minors, walking nearly as much as striking out.
The Diamondbacks promoted Groover from High-A Hillsboro to Double-A Amarillo on Sunday.
Groover started at third base in his Amarillo debut in Sunday's 12-5 loss to Arkansas, going 4-for-5 with a double, two runs and an RBI. The 22-year-old was moved up to Amarillo after producing an .817 OPS in 175 plate appearances at Hillsboro.
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Diamondbacks' Gino Groover: Returns from 60-day IL
Rotowire
High-A Hillsboro reinstated Groover (wrist) from its 60-day injured list Friday.
Groover has played in both of Hillsboro's first two games out of the All-Star break, going 2-for-9 with a double and a walk to bring his slash line to .320/.393/.360 through his first seven contests at the High-A level this season. The 22-year-old third baseman had been on the shelf since April 11 with a broken left wrist that required surgery.
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Diamondbacks' Gino Groover: Recovering from broken wrist
Rotowire
High-A Hillsboro placed Groover on its 7-day injured list April 11 with a broken left wrist and later transferred him to the 60-day IL, Nick Pieroro of The Arizona Republic reports.
A bat-first player who lacks a natural defensive position, Groover suffered the injury April 9 when his glove arm made contact with a baserunner while trying to receive a throw at first base. Groover hit .375 with a .444 on-base percentage and two steals in four games for Hillsboro before ending up on the 60-day IL. He required surgery to address the injury and isn't expected to be ready to return to action until around mid-July.
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