SAN FRANCISCO – The Diamondbacks recalled Jordan Lawlar from Triple-A Reno, promoting their top prospect despite not having a clear path for him to get regular at-bats.

General manager Mike Hazen said he envisions Lawlar starting “three or four days a week” for the time being, and though he acknowledged the unusual nature of promoting a young player for a non-everyday role, he felt Lawlar’s standing as one of the better players in the organization warranted the call-up regardless.

“I also feel like at some point we’re also required to put the 26 best players in our organization on our team,” Hazen said. “… We have said that every day matters, and clearly in the National League, every day is going to matter.”

Lawlar, who joined the team ahead of their three-game series this week in San Francisco, was not in the lineup for the game on Monday night, May 12. He described himself as “ecstatic to be here.”

“Whatever they call me on, that’s what I want to do,” Lawlar said. “I just want to help the team win.”

Lawlar, a natural shortstop, has been seeing time at second base and third base, and Hazen said it is possible that Lawlar could start a game at each position during the course of a week.

“He’s a really good athlete,” Hazen said. “He’s got good hands. He’s smart. It’s a little trickier job to play multiple positions than locking down one, especially as a young player, but he’ll figure it out.”

With shortstop Geraldo Perdomo, second baseman Ketel Marte and third baseman Eugenio Suarez locked in as everyday players, Lawlar is likely to find only occasional starts at those positions.

“It’s not going to be every day,” Hazen said. “Those guys are the everyday players. He’ll figure out a way to get his reps, too.”

In 37 games with Reno, Lawlar, 22, hit .336/.413/.579 with 23 extra-base hits and 13 steals in 14 tries.

Lawlar has actually cooled off at the plate in recent days, going 6 for 35 (.171) over his past eight games. Over an 18-game stretch from April 10 through May 2, Lawlar hit .466/.536/.918 with six homers in 73 at-bats.

The Diamondbacks had wanted Lawlar to play regularly in the minors to open the year. He suffered through an injury-plagued 2024 season in which he had only 105 plate appearances.

The Diamondbacks also reinstated right-hander Kendall Graveman from the injured list. Signed as a free agent in February, he has yet to pitch this season due to back issues that popped up during spring training. Left-hander Jose Castillo was designated for assignment to open up a spot for Graveman.

To make room for Lawlar on the roster, the club designated infielder/outfielder Garrett Hampson for assignment. In limited playing time, Hampson had gone just 5 for 30 (.167) with no extra-base hits and nine walks.

Lawlar made his debut in 2023 at the age of 21 but did not produce in limited at-bats, hitting .129 (4 for 31) with 11 strikeouts as he struggled to drive the ball.

Lawlar is widely regarded as one of the better prospects in baseball. He ranks fourth on MLB.com’s Top 100 list and 10th on Baseball America’s.

Lawlar credited his strong performance this year to a solid approach at the plate.

“Controlling the zone really well,” he said. “Attacking when the pitch was over the plate and trusting my approaches. Making pitch to pitch adjustments.”

(This story has been updated to add new information.)