Christian Walker Exits Diamondbacks Game with Oblique Tightness

The slugging Gold Glove first baseman for the D-backs was replaced after the third inning

Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Christian Walker (53) tosses the ball to first after fielding a sharp ground ball on July 27, 2024 at Chase Field in Phoenix. / Owen Ziliak/The Republic / USA TODAY

NOTE: This story has been updated with Christian Walker's latest status

Diamondbacks Gold Glove first baseman Christian Walker was removed from the game Monday night against the Washington Nationals with left oblique tightness before the start of the third inning. According to Torey Lovullo, Walker first felt the injury on a swing in the first inning. He will receive an MRI on Tuesday morning. Lovullo said his concern was "Not Minimal"

Walker has played in all 107 D-backs games this year and played in 157 games last year and 160 the year before that. Walker missed 47 with two different IL stings in 2021 with an oblique injury.

A free agent at the end of 2024, Walker came into the game batting .255 with 23 homers and 71 RBI while playing his usual Gold Glove-caliber defense. Any lengthy time away for Walker would leave a gaping hole in both the lineup and at first base.

For the time being Lovullo said that Kevin Newman will fill in at first base in Walker's absence. Newman replaced Walker in the fourth inning and had an RBI double. If Walker requires an injured list stint, it's possible the team could recall Pavin Smith from Triple-A Reno. The MLB Trade Deadline is Tuesday at 3:00 P.M. Arizona Time.

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