D-backs Recall Alek Thomas from Reno, Option Josh Rojas

Thomas returns to the big league roster while the slumping Rojas is sent down to Reno.

Ahead of today's game against the Brewers, the Diamondbacks have made a roster move. Arizona has recalled outfielder Alek Thomas from Triple-A Reno while optioning infielder Josh Rojas to Reno.

The #Dbacks recalled OF Alek Thomas from Triple-A Reno and optioned INF Josh Rojas to Reno following yesterday’s game.

— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) June 19, 2023

Thomas, 23, opened the year as the starting center fielder, but started the year in a horrific slump. In his first 39 games he hit .195 with five doubles, two triples, two home runs, and a .579 OPS. The left-handed hitting Thomas really struggled against left-handed pitchers, going 1-for-36 with 14 strikeouts and just one walk. Due to the slump, the team sent him down to Reno in order to work on his approach. With Reno, Thomas hit .348 with six doubles, two triples, three home runs, and a .927 OPS in 26 games. Against lefties, he hit .306 (11-for-36) with two doubles and a triple while striking out only six times.

Rojas, 28, was in a third base platoon with Evan Longoria to begin the season. He began the season hitting well, with a .287 average in the month of April, but has been in a lengthy slump since. Since May 1st, Rojas is batting .188 with a .519 OPS and striking out in over 26% of his plate appearances. On the season he's hitting .235 with a .301 on-base percentage, which has limited his ability to be a factor on the basepaths. In Reno, Rojas will have the chance to work on smoothing out his approach and get on a hot streak before being brought back up.

The moves will add more depth to the outfield, allowing the D-backs to put their best defenders on the field in tight games. Thomas has been playing center field throughout his entire career in Arizona, so that likely moves Carroll and McCarthy to the corners and Pavin Smith back to a backup first baseman/designated hitter role. At third, the D-backs can rely on Emmanuel Rivera and Evan Longoria while Perdomo is entrenched as the backup second baseman when Ketel Marte needs a day off the field.