Dbacks Call Up Rookie Fernandez, Smith on IL

0:00On March 30th, the Arizona Diamondbacks are dealing with more injury woes, just three games into the 2026 season. Designated hitter Pave and Smith landed on the injured list Monday with left elbow inflammation, sidelining him for at least 10 days. The team already had several key players out, and now they've called up rookie Jose Fernandez to fill the spot. Smith dealt with forearm tightness late in spring training, missing nearly a week before bouncing back for opening day on March 26th. On loss, Angelus, he got scratched that day, but an MRI showed no major damage, so he played the next two games after some treatments and batting practice. Still, the pain built up leading to a quarter zone shot Sunday and the IEL decision. Manager Tori LeVulo said he got too uncomfortable for Smith to keep pushing through. He stressed they need Smith healthy for the long haul, not limping in and out of the lineup all year. LeVulo made the call to give him a quick break now for the rest of the season. Fernandez, a 22-year-old Venezuelan, steps up with limited pro-experience, just four at bats above AA,

1:06able he crushed spring training at, 280 with three homers, three doubles, and a triple. The D-backs won't use him at first base. Instead, yielding to Maro Vargas, backs up Carlos Santana there, while Fernandez gets looks at third, shortstop, or D-H, to find his groove. How long Fernandez sticks around hinges on Smith's recovery progress? LeVulo kept it real. Playing time is wide open till they see how fast Paven heals up. Stay tuned with MLB News Today, AI-powered updates.