Diamondbacks at Rangers updates. Alek Thomas replacement stays at 9th
TL;DR
Ryan Waldschmidt remains in the No. 9 spot for the Diamondbacks against the Rangers, as manager Torey Lovullo values his ability to see pitches and get on base. Waldschmidt has shown competitive at-bats despite not having a standout performance at the plate.
Key points
- Ryan Waldschmidt remains in the No. 9 spot for the Diamondbacks
- Manager Torey Lovullo values Waldschmidt's ability to see pitches
- Waldschmidt has generated hard contact despite not excelling at the plate
- The Diamondbacks played the Texas Rangers on May 13
Mentioned in this story
Diamondbacks at Rangers updates. Alek Thomas replacement stays at 9th
ARLINGTON, TX â Ryan Waldschmidt hasnât lit the world on fire at the plate, but he has taken competitive at-bats and generated some hard contact. Given the state of the Diamondbacksâ offense, that is more than can be said for some of their hitters.
As such, manager Torey Lovullo was asked prior to the Diamondbacksâ series finale against the Texas Rangers on Wednesday, May 13, if he had yet given any thought to moving Waldschmidt out of the No. 9 hole in his lineup.
âNot yet,â Lovullo said. âI want to just get him grounded. I like him hitting ninth, turning it over to the boys at the top. Thatâs really what I want that number nine hitter to do: see pitches, drive the baseball, get on base.
"Youâve got some really good hitters sitting there at the top.â
Waldschmidt was 4 for 14 (.286) with two doubles through five games.
Over the years, Lovullo has liked to keep his young hitters at or near the bottom of the lineup as they break into the majors before eventually elevating them toward the middle or top.
âWeâll see what happens over the course of the next several at-bats and several months,â Lovullo said. âWeâll see what happens.â
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Michael Soroka (34) throws to the plate against the Texas Rangers during the first inning at Globe Life Field on May 11, 2026.
Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Geraldo Perdomo (2) reacts after hitting an RBI double against the Texas Rangers during the first inning at Globe Life Field on May 11, 2026.
Arizona Diamondbacks right fielder Corbin Carroll (7) slides into second base with a double against the Texas Rangers during the first inning at Globe Life Field on May 11, 2026.
Arizona Diamondbacks right fielder Corbin Carroll (7) is greeted in the dugout after scoring against the Texas Rangers during the first inning at Globe Life Field on May 11, 2026.
Texas Rangers pitcher Jakob Junis (16) throws to the plate against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning at Globe Life Field on May 11, 2026.
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Scenes from the Arizona Diamondbacks' 3-game set at Texas Rangers
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Michael Soroka (34) throws to the plate against the Texas Rangers during the first inning at Globe Life Field on May 11, 2026.
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Scenes from the Arizona Diamondbacks' 3-game set at Texas Rangers
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Michael Soroka (34) throws to the plate against the Texas Rangers during the first inning at Globe Life Field on May 11, 2026.
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Scenes from the Arizona Diamondbacks' 3-game set at Texas Rangers
Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Geraldo Perdomo (2) reacts after hitting an RBI double against the Texas Rangers during the first inning at Globe Life Field on May 11, 2026.
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Scenes from the Arizona Diamondbacks' 3-game set at Texas Rangers
Arizona Diamondbacks right fielder Corbin Carroll (7) slides into second base with a double against the Texas Rangers during the first inning at Globe Life Field on May 11, 2026.
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Scenes from the Arizona Diamondbacks' 3-game set at Texas Rangers
Arizona Diamondbacks right fielder Corbin Carroll (7) is greeted in the dugout after scoring against the Texas Rangers during the first inning at Globe Life Field on May 11, 2026.
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Scenes from the Arizona Diamondbacks' 3-game set at Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers pitcher Jakob Junis (16) throws to the plate against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning at Globe Life Field on May 11, 2026.
Diamondbacks at Rangers, 5:05 p.m., Cox, Ch. 34
Diamondbacks RHP Ryne Nelson (1-3, 5.68) vs. Rangers RHP Kumar Rocker (1-4, 5.01).
At Globe Life Field: Nelson is coming off his best start of the season, in which he gave up just one run in 6 2/3 innings against the Mets last week at Chase Field. It was his second consecutive strong start following a 5 2/3-inning, one-run performance against the Cubs. ⊠Nelson introduced a two-seam fastball two starts ago, a pitch he uses to get arm-side movement but not sink. According to pitch data, he has thrown it on 25 of 179 pitches (14 percent) in the past two starts. ⊠Rocker, twice a top 10 draft pick, has yet to find his footing in the majors, posting a 5.32 ERA in 108 1/3 innings in his career. ⊠His sinker, his primary fastball this year, has been getting hit hard (.351 average, .526 slugging) and has not induced much swing and miss (12.3 percent). ⊠Rockerâs slider and change-up have racked up whiffs for him. ⊠He has never faced the Diamondbacks.
Coming up
Thursday, May 14: Off.
Friday, May 15: At Colorado, 5:40 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Merrill Kelly (2-3, 7.62) vs. Rockies LHP Kyle Freeland (1-4, 6.00).
Saturday, May 16: At Colorado, 12:10 p.m., Diamondbacks LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (4-0, 2.25) vs. Rockies RHP Tomoyuki Sugano (3-3, 4.07).
Sunday, May 17: At Colorado, 12:10 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Michael Soroka (5-2, 3.53) vs. Rockies RHP Michael Lorenzen (2-5, 6.55).
(This story will be updated. Check back soon.)
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Diamondbacks vs Rangers updates. Lovullo talks Waldschmidt
Q&A
Why is Ryan Waldschmidt batting ninth for the Diamondbacks?
Ryan Waldschmidt is batting ninth to help turn the lineup over and to focus on seeing pitches and getting on base.
What has been Ryan Waldschmidt's performance at the plate?
Waldschmidt hasn't had a standout performance but has taken competitive at-bats and generated hard contact.
Who is the manager of the Diamondbacks?
The manager of the Diamondbacks is Torey Lovullo.
When did the Diamondbacks play against the Texas Rangers?
The Diamondbacks faced the Texas Rangers in a series finale on Wednesday, May 13.
