Prospect Lawlar out with rib issue, expected back
Diamondbacks prospect Jordan Lawlar has a “benign bone growth” on one of his ribs, farm director Josh Barfield said, and the club expects the wellregarded shortstop to be able to get back on the field at some point this season.
Barfield said Lawlar is scheduled to visit with a specialist next week in hopes of determining the best course of action in terms of treatment.
There is a possibility that Lawlar will need to have the growth removed, Barfield said, adding that the diagnosis still appears encouraging both in the shortand long-term.
“I don’t know what that procedure entails, but even with that, it seems like it’s pretty favorable for him to be able to return and get back to full health and play at some point this year,” Barfield said.
Lawlar, the sixth overall pick in last year’s draft, was off to a terrific start with Low-A Visalia, hitting .352 with seven homers and 18 stolen bases in 33 games.
Barfield said Lawlar started feeling discomfort last week, at which point the Diamondbacks put him on the Visalia injured list and brought him to Arizona to be evaluated.
The team initially called the injury “mid-back soreness.” After undergoing at least an X-ray and CT scan, it was determined that Lawlar’s discomfort stems from a growth on the third rib on his right side.
Castellanos to IL
The Diamondbacks placed righthander Humberto Castellanos on the 15-day injured list with a strained right elbow and recalled left-hander Paul Fry from Triple-A Reno.
Castellanos’ rotation status already had been in question after he was hit hard in back-to-back starts against the Los Angeles Dodgers and Atlanta Braves.
The club now has no choice but to look elsewhere to fill the fifth spot.
Right-hander Corbin Martin seems to be the most logical choice. He already is on the 40-man roster and has been throwing capably for Reno. He turned in his best start of the year in his most recent outing, allowing one run on two hits and three walks with 10 strikeouts in 52⁄3 innings against Oklahoma City.
The Diamondbacks acquired Fry in a minor trade with the Baltimore Orioles two weeks ago. Since reporting to Reno, he has logged four innings across three relief appearances, giving up two runs while walking one and striking out four.