Arizona OF Tomas demoted to minors

PHOENIX » Arizona outfielder Yasmany Tomas cleared waivers and was assigned outright to Triple-A Reno by the Diamondbacks, who are responsible for the $42.5 million he is owed in the remaining three seasons of a $68.5 million, sixyear contract.

Tomas, signed in December 2014 when Dave Stewart was Arizona’s general manager, slumped to a .241 average with eight homers and 32 RBIs in 47 games last year, when he did not play after June 2. Sidelined by right groin tendinitis, he had core surgery on Aug. 22.

He hit .273 with nine homers and 48 RBIs in 2015, then .272 with 31 homers and 83 RBIs the following year.

Tomas is owed $10 million this year, $15.5 million in 2019 and $17 million in 2020 as part of the contract he signed after defecting from Cuba. The 27-year-old had the choice to reject the outright assignment but doing so would have eliminated the remaining years of his contract.

Arizona wants Tomas to work on his defense. The Diamondbacks filled his spot on the 40-man roster by acquiring right-handed reliever Stefan Crichton from the Baltimore Orioles for $100,000.

The 26-year-old Crichton made eight appearances for the Orioles last season but spent most of the year with Triple-A Norfolk, going 7-2 with a 3.02 ERA. The Diamondbacks optioned him to Reno after Monday’s trade.

CARLOS OSORIO — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS This is a 2018 photo of left fielder Yasmany Tomas of the Arizona Diamondbacks baseball team. Tomas cleared waivers and was assigned outright to Triple-A Reno by the Diamondbacks, who are responsible for the $42.5 million he is owed in the remaining...