The Arizona Diamondbacks dealt with many injuries last season, many of which were season-ending. They just got an encouraging update on one of those injuries.
On Saturday, Diamondbacks GM Mike Hazen met with the media. While the initial purpose was to discuss the Jake McCarthy trade to Colorado, Hazen gave an update on one of Arizona’s impact players.
It’s been just over four months since Arizona outfielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. tore his ACL, but the veteran is making great progress in his rehab.
“I haven’t gotten an update since the new year, but when I checked in with [head athletic trainer Ryan DiPanfilo] over the break, [Gurriel] was well ahead of schedule with what I was told,” Hazen said.
“Typically that type of surgery is a rough plus or minus 11 to 12 month recovery. But from everything I was told… Lourdes was well ahead of schedule, already moving around great. He’s working out in Miami and we’re sort of making visits there. I’m sure we’ll see him here coming in in the next few weeks to start transitioning that rehab back to us.”
How Important is Gurriel Jr. to the Arizona Diamondbacks?
Gurriel Jr. was acquired with catcher Gabriel Moreno from the Toronto Blue Jays for outfielder Daulton Varsho in 2022. In his first year with Arizona (2023), Gurriel Jr. participated in the All-Star Game after hitting 24 home runs.
Since then, his OPS has gone down in each of the next two seasons. However, before his injury, Gurriel stepped up when the Diamondbacks needed him most last season.
After the Diamondbacks traded infielders Eugenio Suarez and Josh Naylor, Arizona required some thump in the lineup.
Despite a slump in July with a .628 OPS, Gurriel Jr. stepped up after the trade deadline with a .797 OPS in August. During this month, he hit seven home runs and had 32 runs driven in.
However, his success was short-lived as he was carted off the field on the first day of September.
Now, the Diamondbacks must rally without Gurriel Jr. if they want to contend in a strong NL West.
Who Will Replace Gurriel?
Corbin Carroll will be in right field. That much we already know. Alek Thomas figures to be the starting center fielder after the departure of McCarthy, at least against right-handed pitching.
But who will be in left field? Gurriel Jr. will miss a significant chunk of the 2026 season. While Hazen wouldn’t elaborate on what “ahead of schedule” means, it’s unlikely that Gurriel Jr. returns before the All-Star break in the outfield.
Gurriel Jr. will likely have to DH for a while before making his way back to the outfield.
Currently, there aren’t many in-house options to replace him. Blaze Alexander, Jorge Barrosa, Jordan Lawlar, Tim Tawa and even top prospect Ryan Waldschmidt are potential replacements. However, none of these guys have proven themselves the way that Gurriel Jr. has.
While it’s great news that he’s ahead of schedule, the Diamondbacks must find a way to compete without one of their star players. While Hazen said Arizona isn’t done in free agency, the Diamondbacks must make the right moves to improve their team to replace key players that will miss a chunk of 2026, like Gurriel Jr.
Diamondbacks Get Great News on Outfielder’s Injury Progression