The Arizona Diamondbacks activated third baseman Eric Chavez from the disabled list Friday evening, one day after GM Kevin Towers watched him play in a minor league rehab game, reports MLB.com
Diamondbacks activate Eric Chavez from DL, designate Eric Hinske
Chavez has missed nearly a month due to a strained oblique. Hinske had played sparingly for Arizona.
Norm Hall
Chavez, 35, has been on the disabled list since May 31 after straining his right oblique one day prior while taking a swing in the first inning. Chavez had been one of the team’s hottest hitters at that point, with a .325/.368/.588 batting line on the season. Not long before his DL stint, the Diamondbacks had announced plans to keep him in the starting lineup on a semi-permanent basis.
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Chavez had been splitting time at the hot corner with Martin Prado for much of the year. Prado, acquired in the Justin Upton trade from the Braves, has played at second base and left field when not playing third base.
The Diamondbacks plan to use Prado more at second base with Chavez returning. That would also allow the team to give second baseman Aaron Hill a day off on occasion after he recently returned from his own DL stint. Hill broke his hand in mid-April.
To make room for Chavez on the roster, the Diamondbacks designated Eric Hinske for assignment. Hinske has been pinch hitting almost exclusively this season, but holds a .547 OPS on the year. The 12-year veteran had played just six games in the field, three of which were starts.
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