Tyler Locklear Returns to Diamondbacks After Injury Battle

Locklear’s Comeback to the Diamondbacks

The Diamondbacks gathered for a workout on July 16 at Chase Field, marking their first full session since the All‑Star break. Among the players taking throws at first base were Geraldo Perdomo, Ildemaro Vargas and Ketel Marte, with Tyler Locklear drawing noticeable attention. A few weeks earlier, an outfielder’s injury cleared a roster spot, allowing the club to call Locklear up from Triple‑A Reno after a long rehab process.

Locklear missed spring training because of elbow and shoulder surgeries, and he initially found himself buried behind veterans such as Pavin Smith, José Fernandez, Carlos Santana, Vargas and LuJames Groover. Both Smith and Groover have been optioned out, Santana is off the 40‑man list and Vargas now functions more as a utility infielder, which helped pave the way for Locklear’s promotion. In his first comments since the call‑up, Locklear described the mental and physical challenge of returning to the majors, noting the difficulty of adjusting without a full preseason.

Manager Torey Lovullo sees Locklear as a developing project who could anchor the first‑base line and also appear as a designated hitter, depending on matchups and the health of the roster. The club’s decision to bring him in follows a season in which Locklear arrived via the Eugenio Suárez trade from Seattle but struggled with injuries. Lovullo emphasized the importance of re‑exposing the young player to big‑league action, hoping his progress will be steady and sustainable.

Diamondbacks’ Plans for Their New First Baseman

Locklear is expected to see regular time at first base, with the possibility of splitting duties as a DH as the Diamondbacks prepare for a three‑game homestand against the St. Louis Cardinals beginning July 17. The coaching staff plans to integrate him gradually, focusing on his defensive footwork and offensive consistency. His role will also be shaped by the performance of current contenders for the infield spots, giving managers flexibility in how they use him.

Beyond his on‑field duties, Locklear’s presence provides a glimpse of the roster turnover the franchise has undergone this summer. The departures of seasoned infielders and the emergence of younger talent illustrate the rebuilding phases the Diamondbacks are navigating. As the team looks to the second half of the season, Locklear’s development will be a key metric for the organization’s progress.

Injury Updates Across the Diamondbacks Roster

Right‑handed starter Michael Soroka is slated for a rehab assignment before rejoining the rotation, though a lingering glute issue has slowed his return timeline. Zac Gallen continues to be evaluated by physicians regarding right elbow inflammation that has kept him on the injured list since July 12. Meanwhile, outfielder Jordan Lawlar is ramping up his baseball activities after a hamstring strain sidelined him earlier in the month, indicating a gradual return to form.

Infield staple Geraldo Perdomo received a cortisone injection in one hand and has been managing some discomfort since the San Diego series just before the break, though medical input suggests the ailment won’t impede his play. Manager Lovullo downplayed the severity, attributing the pain to a buildup from playing “every single day really, really hard.” The club remains cautious but optimistic that the inning‑heavy schedule won’t derail Perdomo’s contributions.

When Bees Stole the Spotlight at Chase Field

One of the most unforgettable moments for Diamondbacks fans came earlier this year when a swarm of bees overwhelmed the home‑plate net, halting a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers on April 30, 2024. The unexpected interruption lasted roughly two hours, with onlookers—including players, managers and even the mascot—watching as beekeeper Matt Hilton worked to clear the colony. The incident, captured in a series of vivid photos, underscored how quickly a routine contest can turn into a spectacle.

Locklear said the injuries were his first major ones as a pro, so he dealt with the mental aspect of trying to get back to the major leagues. He was there with the Diamondbacks last season after being traded by the Seattle Mariners in the Eugenio Suarez deal at the trade deadline before the injuries derailed his season.

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“He’s been swinging the bat very, very well. Thought it was a good opportunity to get him up here,” Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said. “Just get him exposed to this level again.”

Lovullo congratulated Locklear on fighting his way back to the big leagues after so much seemed to be going against him. Locklear will play some first base and possibly be a designated hitter, Lovullo said, depending on matchups and who is hitting well.

“We just think that there’s a young player that’s going to continue to develop,” Lovullo said. “That’s our job here, to develop him. … He wanted to get healthy and just find his way back here, and if he got hot, he knew he’d have an opportunity. And that’s where we’re at.”