The early impressions of the Jordan Lawlar experiment are encouraging at Salt River Fields, where the Diamondbacks’ converted infielder is getting quick jumps, taking good routes and showcasing a strong arm from his new position in center field.
This comes as little surprise to at least one person in the Diamondbacks’ organization.
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“He played center field for our scout team,” said J.R. Salinas, the area scout who tracked Lawlar’s progress during his years as an amateur in the Dallas area. “He made it look soooo easy.”
Lawlar possesses many of the qualities that tend to translate well when infielders venture out to the grass. He is a strong athlete. He runs well. And he has no qualms about the position change.
“I feel really good out there,” Lawlar said. “Just getting out there in different situations. The game is a great teacher. I’m having fun out there. Enjoying it. Track the ball down and go catch the ball.”
In some ways, there is not much more to it than that. But outfield coach Dave McKay has been giving Lawlar a crash course on the nuances of the position, continuing to deliver lessons that began in the fall before Lawlar headed to the Dominican Republic to play winter ball.
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(That foray did not work out quite as expected. Lawlar wound up playing only three games in center field for Licey when the team found itself in need of a shortstop.)
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Gavin Logan during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Geraldo Perdomo (2) during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte (4) during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks Carlos Santana during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks Lourdes Gurriel Jr. during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks catcher James McCann (8) takes infield practice during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Gabriel Moreno (14) during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks catcher James McCann (8) talks to pitcher Merrill Kelly during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Merrill Kelly during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Merrill Kelly during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Merrill Kelly during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Merrill Kelly during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks Jordan Lawlar during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Druw Jones during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks Lourdes Gurriel Jr. during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks assistant general manager Jeremy Bleich (left) during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Brandon Pfaadt (32) during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Druw Jones reacts during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Brandon Pfaadt (32) during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks catcher James McCann (8) talks to pitcher Brandon Pfaadt (32) during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte (4) during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks Carlos Santana during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks Alek Thomas (5) during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Gabriel Moreno (14) takes infield practice during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (right) during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks catchers James McCann and Gabriel Moreno (right) during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026 in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Gabriel Moreno (14) throws a football during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo (17) during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo (17) during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks catcher James McCann (8) talks to pitcher Merrill Kelly during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Merrill Kelly during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Tommy Henry during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Tommy Henry during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Cristian Mena during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks Nolan Arenado during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Geraldo Perdomo (2) during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks Lourdes Gurriel Jr. during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks Lourdes Gurriel Jr. during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo (17) during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo (17) during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks Tim Tawa during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Brandon Pfaadt (32) during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Brandon Pfaadt (32) during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Kohl Drake during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte (4) during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks Carlos Santana during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks Alek Thomas (5) during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks Jordan Lawlar catches a fly ball during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
McKay said he is encouraging Lawlar to get as many reps as possible tracking balls off the bat and wants him to know he doesn’t need to prove to everyone how good he is out there on every play. By that, he means, just make the plays and hit the cutoff man.
This kind of position change is somewhat common. Over the past decade, the Diamondbacks have asked a handful of middle infielders — including Chris Owings, Ketel Marte and Blaze Alexander — to give center field a try. All fared well.
Within the National League West, Jackson Merrill hadn’t played an official game in center field before starting there on Opening Day for the San Diego Padres in 2024.
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“Usually, it’s harder to bring an outfielder in to play the middle infield,” McKay said. “It’s a lot easier to bring a middle infielder out to the outfield. Usually, they’re pretty good athletes.”
Lawlar said his mom, Hope, had him play more sports than just baseball when he was a kid, and he thinks that well-rounded athleticism has helped him in the outfield. And, he said, he did play a handful of games in center field as a kid on various teams, including the one Salinas remembers.
“He had a couple of opportunities on balls to the wall and he made every play,” Salinas recalled. “(He had) easy, fluid actions evident of the athlete he is.”
The past couple of seasons have not gone as planned for Lawlar’s development. After making his major league debut late in the 2023 season, he missed most of the 2024 season due to injury. He was sidelined again by injuries last year, and when he was on the field in the majors, his results were a mixed bag. His defense at both second base and third was at times shaky, and he hit just .182 (12 for 66) in 28 games.
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“It’s all about perspective,” Lawlar said. “Of course, you want to have three full years in the big leagues healthy — debut in ’23 and kind of go from there. But that’s not always how it works out. It’s how you respond to things, is how I see it. I’m excited for the opportunity to get back out here and do whatever I can do to help this team this year.”
Lawlar seemed to find a level of comfort in the big leagues in September, during which he received a little more consistent playing time. Over his final 18 games, he hit .308/.364/.487 with seven doubles, putting together both better at-bats and better contact than he had shown. His first hit of the month snapped an 0 for 31 start to the year.
“I think baseball can be a mental game,” Lawlar said. “It was just nice to see the first one fall. When the first one fell, a lot of good things happened. Also, just playing, kind of getting into rhythm and playing — stacking consistent days — was very helpful for me.
“I felt like I got on a roll and just seeing your name in the lineup on back-to-back days really helped me.”
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Diamondbacks pitchers, catchers report to spring training workouts
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Brandon Pfaadt (32) signs autographs for the fans during spring training workouts on Feb. 10, 2026, at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks pitchers, catchers report to spring training workouts
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Brandon Pfaadt (32) signs autographs for the fans during spring training workouts on Feb. 10, 2026, at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks pitchers, catchers report to spring training workouts
Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo and pitcher Corbin Burnes (right) during spring training workouts on Feb. 10, 2026, at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks pitchers, catchers report to spring training workouts
Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Gabriel Moreno (14) during spring training workouts on Feb. 10, 2026, at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks pitchers, catchers report to spring training workouts
Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Gavin Logan during spring training workouts on Feb. 10, 2026, at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks pitchers, catchers report to spring training workouts
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Brandon Pfaadt (32) during spring training workouts on Feb. 10, 2026, at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks pitchers, catchers report to spring training workouts
Fans watch the action in the Arizona Diamondbacks bullpen during spring training workouts on Feb. 10, 2026, at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks pitchers, catchers report to spring training workouts
The Arizona Diamondbacks pitchers and catchers reported to camp for the first day of spring training workouts on Feb. 10, 2026, at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks pitchers, catchers report to spring training workouts
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez during spring training workouts on Feb. 10, 2026, at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks pitchers, catchers report to spring training workouts
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Corbin Burnes (left) talks to pitching coach Brian Kaplan during spring training workouts on Feb. 10, 2026 at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks pitchers, catchers report to spring training workouts
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Merrill Kelly (29) during spring training workouts on Feb. 10, 2026, at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks pitchers, catchers report to spring training workouts
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Kevin Ginkel (37) during spring training workouts on Feb. 10, 2026, at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks pitchers, catchers report to spring training workouts
Arizona Diamondbacks pitchers Brandon Pfaadt and Corbin Burnes (right) during spring training workouts on Feb. 10, 2026, at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks pitchers, catchers report to spring training workouts
Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Geraldo Perdomo (2) during spring training workouts on Feb. 10, 2026, at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks pitchers, catchers report to spring training workouts
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Merrill Kelly (29) during spring training workouts on Feb. 10, 2026, at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks pitchers, catchers report to spring training workouts
Arizona Diamondbacks general manager Mike Hazen during spring training workouts on Feb. 10, 2026, at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks pitchers, catchers report to spring training workouts
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Ryan Thompson (81) during spring training workouts on Feb. 10, 2026, at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks pitchers, catchers report to spring training workouts
Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte (4) during spring training workouts on Feb. 10, 2026, at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks pitchers, catchers report to spring training workouts
Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo and pitcher Corbin Burnes (left) during spring training workouts on Feb. 10, 2026, at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks pitchers, catchers report to spring training workouts
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Corbin Burnes (back) and pitching coach Brian Kaplan watch pitcher Merrill Kelly (29) throw during spring training workouts on Feb. 10, 2026, at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks pitchers, catchers report to spring training workouts
Arizona Diamondbacks general manager Mike Hazen during spring training workouts on Feb. 10, 2026, at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks pitchers, catchers report to spring training workouts
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Merrill Kelly (29) during spring training workouts on Feb. 10, 2026, at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks pitchers, catchers report to spring training workouts
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Merrill Kelly (center) during spring training workouts on Feb. 10, 2026, at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks pitchers, catchers report to spring training workouts
Kayden Marte, son of Ketel Marte, fields a ground ball and throws it to first base with Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Geraldo Perdomo (right) during spring training workouts on Feb. 10, 2026, at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks pitchers, catchers report to spring training workouts
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez (57) during spring training workouts on Feb. 10, 2026, at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks pitchers, catchers report to spring training workouts
Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Gabriel Moreno (14) during spring training workouts on Feb. 10, 2026, at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks pitchers, catchers report to spring training workouts
Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Gabriel Moreno (14) during spring training workouts on Feb. 10, 2026, at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale.
If Lawlar shows this spring he can handle center field, he likely will get an opportunity during the season to log significant at-bats. He also could serve as the team’s backup shortstop to Geraldo Perdomo, though he likely won’t move back there full-time in the event that Perdomo misses significant time.
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Lawlar, it seems, is now more of an outfielder than an infielder. And McKay, who is among the more experienced coaches in baseball, thinks it is a change that has a chance to work out very well.
“He looks really, really good,” McKay said, adding, “We were out here earlier, and there were a few balls that found him. But every day, we’re out there, we’re doing more and more, and he’s getting better and better and better.”
Infielder Jose Fernandez opening eyes
Infielder Jose Fernandez, who put himself back on the prospect radar with a strong season last year in Double-A, has stood out on the backfields at camp.
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“He looks great,” manager Torey Lovullo said. “We’ve seen him now for four or five years and he’s certainly grown up and filled out. He’s a very strong young man that’s impacting the baseball and playing very good defense.”
Fernandez, 22, has been taking ground balls at multiple infield positions, including alongside veteran Nolan Arenado at third.
“I think he’s been awesome,” Arenado said. “He’s a great dude, a great kid. You can really see the talent. He’s got a lot of talent. I’ve been really impressed with him, just the way he goes about his business. The way he acts. And his swing is phenomenal. He looks like he might be a great player.”
Fernandez hit .272/.321/.454 last season in Amarillo. He is expected to open the year in Triple-A Reno and is not viewed as a candidate for the Opening Day roster.
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Short hops
Lovullo said his entire starting infield of Arenado, Perdomo, Marte and first baseman Carlos Santana will be in the lineup for Friday’s Cactus League opener against the Colorado Rockies. Alek Thomas also will be in the lineup in center field, along with catcher Gabriel Moreno.
Lovullo said he normally wouldn’t have so many regulars in the lineup on the first day, but added that he is trying to “fast-forward” things since all four infielders and Thomas are playing in the World Baseball Classic.
Lovullo said the game will be started by right-hander Thomas Hatch, who is in camp on a minor league contract.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Jordan Lawlar earning positive reviews in CF at Diamondbacks camp