After teasing his potential earlier this season, Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Jordan Lawlar is finally set to return to the lineup after more than two months on the injured list.
The former No. 6 overall draft pick hit the IL after suffering a fractured wrist on April 2. It was a bittersweet game for Lawlar, as he was hit in the wrist by a pitch from former Atlanta Braves reliever Osvaldo Bido on the same night he hit his first career MLB home run. Lawlar did not require surgery for the injury, and Arizona has now officially activated him from the 60-Day IL for Friday's game against the Cincinnati Reds.
Lawlar debuted for the Diamondbacks in 2023 after being drafted in the first-round of the 2021 MLB June Amateur Draft. He suited up in 28 games in 2025, posting an OPS of .545 with 12 hits, five RBI, and a pair of stolen bases.
This year, Lawlar made Arizona's Opening Day lineup out of Spring Training and was expected to be a major part of the team's outfield group. With Lourdes Gurriel Jr. still on the injured list, the Diamondbacks have had to go with a youth movement this season. Lawlar joins a group that includes rookies Ryan Waldschmidt and Tommy Troy, as well as All-Star Corbin Carroll. Arizona moved on from veteran Alek Thomas earlier this season, and recently inked suspended outfielder Max Kepler to a one-year deal.
Before his injury, Lawlar appeared to be showing why he was such a highly coveted prospect. It is a small sample size, but in those six games, he had a .956 OPS with six hits, including his first home run. In five games at Triple-A Reno for his rehab assignment, Lawlar slashed .200/.261/.400 with four hits and a pair of RBI.
In a corresponding move, the Diamondbacks designated catcher Aramis Garcia for assignment.
