The Arizona Diamondbacks are recalling utility man Blaze Alexander and placing infielder Ildemaro Vargas on the 10-day injured list with a fractured fifth metatarsal ahead of Wednesday’s game against the Chicago White Sox, the team announced.
Vargas is the latest D-backs player to hit the shelf during this road trip after getting hit by a curveball directly off his right foot on Tuesday. The team said he fractured his fifth metatarsal. Catcher Gabriel Moreno (fractured finger) and outfielder Corbin Carroll (fractured wrist) have also landed on the IL since the club started its nine-game road trip, which finally ends on Wednesday.
The Triple-A Reno Aces scratched Alexander from their lineup shortly after Vargas exited.
Alexander returns to the D-backs for the first time this regular season after he played 61 MLB games as a rookie last year. He entered spring training in a competition for the backup shortstop/utility role, but an oblique strain knocked him out for most of Cactus League.
The 26-year-old has played 54 games with Triple-A Reno this season, slashing .284/.413/.479 with eight home runs and 11 stolen bases. He’s improved his walk rate from 8.4% in Triple-A last year to 15.8%. His strikeout percentage, exit velocity and hard-hit rate have also improved this season.
Defensively, Alexander has mostly played third base and shortstop with some reps at second base mixed. He’s also taken a crack at playing center field to bolster his versatility.
Last year, Alexander made the Opening Day roster and had an up-and-down first MLB experience on offense and defense (.664 OPS, six errors). He has some pop from the right side, has plus speed and a big arm.
Vargas had been playing well in a limited role for the team, hitting .286 with a .774 OPS in 10 games. The veteran is in his third stint with the D-backs and provided versatility both on defense and by being a switch-hitter.
