Diamondbacks Goldschmidt not Expected to Return This Season

Photo Credit: MLB.com

By Francisco Romero

Arizona Diamondbacks’ first baseman Paul Goldschmidt is not expected to return to the field for the remainder of the season.  The All-Star first baseman suffered a fractured left hand.

Goldschmidt was hit by a 93 mph fastball from Pittsburgh Pirates reliever Ernesto Frieri.

Goldschmidt injury comes at a time when the Diamondbacks season has been marred by injuries.

 This season Goldschmidt had played in 109 games for the D-backs, he was hitting .300 (122-for-406) with 75 runs scored, 220 total bases, 39 doubles, 1 triple, 19 home runs, 59 extra-base hits, 69 RBI, 64 walks, 9 stolen bases, .396 on-base and .542 slugging percentages and a .938 OPS. In 109 games at first base, he has a .993 fielding percentage with 7 errors in 1,021 total chances, most among first basemen in the Majors.

Alfredo Marte was called up from Triple – A Reno to take Goldschmidt’s spot in the roster.

Marte, 25, has played in 16 games over 2 stints (May 2-27 & July 22-29) with Arizona this season and hit .258 (8-for-31) with 1 home run, 3 doubles and 7 RBI.

Goldschmidt is not expected to come back this season.  Arizona Diamondbacks manager Kirk Gibson was quoted by Adam Lichtenstein of MLB.com with the following comment: “Realistically it’s eight weeks,” Gibson said. “So he’s done.”

And added, “If you rush it, then you end up injuring it and you displace the fracture.”

“It is a great loss for the team in general,” said Diamondbacks Spanish Broadcaster Oscar Soria, “He will not only be missed on the field, but off the field as well, he has become a fan favorite.

Mark Trumbo is expected to play first base in Goldschmidt’s absence. 

As of August 4^th the Diamondbacks are 14 games behind the Dodgers in the National League West.