The Arizona Diamondbacks activated outfielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. from the 10-day injured list on Friday to prepare for the second game of a four-game series against the Milwaukee Brewers.
The D-backs have nominated infielder Luis Guillorme for a game as part of a corresponding roster change.
Gurriel will bat fifth on Friday and start in left field.
On September 2, he landed on the injured list with a strained left calf, missing more time than manager Torey Lovullo originally expected.
The veteran participated in resume camp games this week after taking a live at-bat, the final step before returning to the lineup.
Gurriel hit the ball very well before retiring, batting .338 with a .976 OPS in his final 20 games. This season, he has a .744 OPS with 17 home runs and 70 RBIs in 125 games in his second season with the club.
However, Arizona’s substitutes performed admirably.
Pavin Smith has been getting more playing time in left field. In the 13 games since Gurriel’s injury, he has posted a .400 batting average and five home runs in 45 at-bats.
Smith’s OPS this season has risen to .969 and he is making a strong case for a home stretch position.
Randal Grichuk, normally Arizona’s designated hitter against left-handers, has shown tremendous power this month with six home runs and four doubles while batting average .455.
With Gabriel Moreno returning from the IL (adductor strain) last weekend and now Gurriel returning, Arizona has a full offensive arsenal. Even center fielder Alek Thomas and shortstop Jordan Lawlar recently returned from injuries, providing depth in Triple-A Reno.
There are nine games left in the regular season and Arizona’s final six games are at home against the San Francisco Giants starting Monday.
Guillorme, who was signed during the season, played in 18 games with Arizona, batting .162 with 11 walks and three stolen bases while providing above-average defense.
He stepped in when Ketel Marte, who suffered an ankle injury last month, stepped in.
