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Diamondbacks at Padres live updates. Starting pitcher optioned to Reno
Diamondbacks cut ties with Pavin Smith, salvage split with Padres
SAN DIEGO — The Diamondbacks designated Pavin Smith for assignment on Thursday night, July 9, sources said, pulling the rip cord on their struggling first baseman as the club remains stuck in an offensive funk.
Smith, who did not play in the Diamondbacks’ 3-1 win over the San Diego Padres at Petco Park, a victory that salvaged a split of a four-game series, was unable to get going at the plate this year, going just 11 for 78 (.141) with two extra-base hits in 28 games.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementHis struggles have contributed to a Diamondbacks offense that has slumped badly over the past six weeks. They also played a part in the club’s historic lack of production at first base this season.
Through 93 games, Diamondbacks first basemen have a .550 OPS; no team has had an OPS that low out of the position since the 1920 Philadelphia Athletics. First basemen across baseball this year have posted an average OPS of .780.
Arizona Diamondbacks visit San Diego Padres for 4-game series
Arizona Diamondbacks left fielder Max Kepler (22) hits a three-run home run in the third inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park on July 6, 2026. (Chadd Cady/Imagn Images)See the Diamondbacks players who were also All-Stars
Arizona Diamondbacks visit San Diego Padres for 4-game series
Taking Smith’s place on the roster will be rookie outfielder Ryan Waldschmidt. Tim Tawa and Ildemaro Vargas appear likely to see the bulk of the time at first base, at least for now.
Smith enjoyed stretches of productivity over the past two years, particularly against right-handed pitching, but he was unable to get his season on track this year. He missed time early in the year with an elbow injury that ultimately required surgery and slumped since returning from the injured list at the start of June.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementSmith, the No. 7 overall pick in the 2017 draft, was the first first-round pick by general manager Mike Hazen and his regime.
Merrill Kelly, Diamondbacks earn a predictable split in San Diego
In four games at Petco Park, the Diamondbacks did about what would be expected from a team hovering around .500. They split.
Their 3-1 win on Thursday night, July 9, featured an excellent outing from right-hander Merrill Kelly and just enough offense from up and down their lineup. But the series felt like more of the same from a team that cannot seem to jump-start its season.
Kelly delivered seven innings of one-run ball, his second consecutive encouraging start. The bottom of the Diamondbacks lineup chipped in, with Nolan Arenado homering and Tommy Troy reaching base twice and scoring a run. Relievers Kevin Ginkel and Paul Sewald secured the win as each retired all three batters they faced in the eighth and ninth innings, respectively.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementKelly allowed three hits, walked three and struck out six. He served up a home run to Manny Machado in the second inning but permitted the Padres only one other scoring opportunity — there were runners on first and second with one out in the fourth — which he promptly erased with a double play.
After logging a 7.31 ERA in five starts in June, Kelly has now turned in consecutive solid starts to open July. In those two games, he has allowed just three runs in 12 innings with five walks and 12 strikeouts.
The mood has been somber around the team with losses the past two days, but Kelly’s win provided a bit of a jolt he hopes will translate into Los Angeles, where the Diamondbacks finish their proverbial first-half schedule with three games against the Dodgers.
“With how my season has been going this year, it probably means a little bit more, just that I was finally able to deliver when they needed me,” Kelly said. “So we’re happy about that and obviously happy we got the series (split) and hopefully we can keep this momentum going into the weekend.”
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe Diamondbacks' offense consisted of a run scored on a wild pitch, an RBI single by Geraldo Perdomo and a solo shot from Arenado. They collected eight hits and walked twice, but had only five at-bats with a runner in scoring position.
Jose Cabrera optioned; Philip Abner recalled
The Diamondbacks optioned right-hander Jose Cabrera to Triple-A Reno and recalled left-hander Philip Abner on Thursday, July 9.
The move gives them an extra arm in the bullpen at a time when, with the All-Star break approaching, they will not need a fifth starter for nearly two weeks.
Cabrera posted a 5.60 ERA in four starts since moving into the rotation last month. His recent results had been shaky, including on Wednesday night, July 8, when he gave up four runs in 4 1/3 innings.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe Diamondbacks will next need a fifth starter on July 21. Right-hander Michael Soroka, on the injured list with a glute injury, is not expected to be ready by then.
The club could bring Cabrera back, but it might look elsewhere. Left-hander Mitch Bratt could be an option; he has logged eight scoreless innings in two starts in Triple-A Reno since making his major league debut in St. Louis on June 24.
Friday, July 10: At Los Angeles, 7:10 p.m., Diamondbacks LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (7-3, 2.25) vs. Dodgers RHP Shohei Ohtani (8-2, 1.79).
Saturday, July 11: At Los Angeles, 6:10 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Brandon Pfaadt (2-1, 4.84) vs. Dodgers RHP Yoshinobu Yamamoto (9-5, 2.49).
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementSunday, July 12: At Los Angeles, 1:10 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Zac Gallen (3-9, 6.34) vs. Dodgers RHP Emmet Sheehan (4-6, 4.91).
(This story has been updated to add information.)
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Diamondbacks cut ties with Pavin Smith, salvage split with Padres
Story byAZCentral | The Arizona Republic