Burnes (elbow/shoulder) threw 20 pitches in a live batting practice session Friday, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports.

This was Burnes’ first session with hitters. He’ll follow up with two innings and 35 pitches in a bridge game Tuesday. Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo indicated that Burnes is anxious to pitch in a real game, but the manager will hold off on that until sometime shortly after Sept. 1.

Gallen (elbow) threw two innings and 35 pitches to live hitters Thursday, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports.

Gallen is next scheduled to throw a bullpen session Saturday after which the club will decide next steps. Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said there is a target date for Gallen and fellow injured starter Corbin Burnes (elbow), but the manager wasn’t ready to reveal it and prefers to take the progression step-by-step before making any announcements.

Nelson (elbow) threw 25 pitches in the bullpen Friday, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports.

Nelson began his bullpen progression Friday. If the right-hander comes out of Friday’s session without issue, he’ll throw another one Tuesday. The Diamondbacks are leaning toward bringing Nelson back as a reliever, which will require a shorter ramp-up, as injured starters Corbin Burnes (elbow) and Zac Gallen (elbow) are ahead of him.

Fernandez went 1-for-2 with two walks, a stolen base and one run scored in Friday’s 9-0 win over the Reds.

Fernandez has now started at third base in four consecutive games while Nolan Arenado is limited to serving as the designated hitter. Fernandez has gone 5-for-13 over those games, so he could end up hitting his way into a more permanent spot in the infield. For the year, he’s batting .264 with a .672 OPS, three home runs, eight steals, 16 RBI, 25 runs scored and nine doubles over 193 plate appearances.

Benson (knee) has not been present for any portion of the Cardinals‘ previous two full-squad practices this week, Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic reports.

After stretching with the team ahead of Monday’s walkthrough practice, Benson hasn’t since been seen by the media. He’s been dealing with the knee injury all summer after missing the final 14 weeks of the 2025 campaign with an injury to the same knee. Unable to practice much or play so far this summer, Benson could be on the outside looking in for a roster spot, considering he doesn’t play special teams.

Reiman (ankle) will not be back for the start of the regular season, Darren Urban of the Cardinals‘ official site reports.

The tight end might also have to stay on the PUP list when the campaign begins, at which point he would move from active/PUP to reserve/PUP and have to miss the first four regular-season contests. Reiman suffered a season-ending ankle injury four games into 2025 and began training camp on the active/PUP list. The 2024 third-round pick is set to play a supporting role behind starting tight end Trey McBride when he returns.

Sweat (knee) is almost ready to be activated off the PUP list, Darren Urban of the Cardinals‘ official site reports.

The pass rusher was placed on the active/PUP list before the start of training camp and has yet to participate in training camp. Sweat participated in mandatory minicamp in June, and his injury was never considered serious. The former Eagle recorded a career-high 12.0 sacks in his first season with the Cardinals last year.

Williams (Achilles) was activated from the PUP list by the Cardinals on Thursday, Darren Urban of the Cardinals’ official site reports.

Williams tore his Achilles in December of last season and began training camp on the active/PUP list. Now that he’s healthy again, the cornerback should be able to resume the starting role he filled for 10 games during the 2025 season, when he recorded 46 tackles (25 solo), five pass breakups, including an interception, and a forced fumble.

Beck impressed in the Hall of Fame Game against the Panthers, completing 15 of 19 passes for 188 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions. However, he emerged from the contest with a rib injury, and the extent of his activity level since then has been individual drills. LaFleur added that Beck will throw after Thursday’s practice, which will give the Cardinals a sense of where he stands in his recovery.

The Diamondbacks placed Marte on the 10-day injured list Thursday with left knee inflammation.

After being on the restricted list all week following his no-show for the team’s series in Boston, Marte will now spend at least the next 10 days on the injured list. General manager Mike Hazen said earlier Thursday he expected Marte to rejoin the team following his trip to the IL, but it’s unclear if that will be in 10 days or longer, as there’s been no indication of the severity of Marte’s inflammation. Ildemaro Vargas should continue to handle the bulk of the playing time at second base for Arizona while Marte is out.

Marte (knee) will be placed on the 10-day injured list ahead of Friday’s series opener against the Reds, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

Diamondbacks general manager Mike Hazen, manager Torey Lovullo and Marte’s agent all met earlier Thursday, but Hazen declined to provide specifics on Marte’s knee issue, only saying he expects Marte to rejoin the team following a stint on the injured list. How long that stint will be is the big question after Marte didn’t show up for Arizona’s series in Boston this week. Ildemaro Vargas figures to continue to see increased playing time in the middle infield while Marte is sidelined.

The Diamondbacks signed Espinal to a minor-league contract Thursday.

Espinal has been assigned to Triple-A Reno. The veteran infielder was released by the Rangers last month after he failed to earn a promotion to the big leagues following nearly four weeks with Texas’ Triple-A affiliate. Espinal is joining his third organization of the 2026 season. He previously appeared in 36 games for the Dodgers, slashing .268/.276/.375 with four extra-base hits, seven RBI, five runs scored and a 1:8 BB:K across 60 trips to the plate.

Nootbaar entered Wednesday’s game as a pinch hitter and went 1-for-2 with a two-run home run in a 7-6 extra-inning victory over the Red Sox.

Nootbaar stepped in for Jordan Lawlar in the sixth inning and took Greg Weissert deep to give Arizona a 5-2 lead. It was Nootbaar’s first homer since being acquired by the Diamondbacks at the trade deadline. The former Cardinal entered the game having gone 5-for-35 (.143) with one RBI over the previous 11 contests in an Arizona uniform.

After stretching with the team ahead of Monday’s walkthrough practice, Benson hasn’t since been seen by the media. He’s been dealing with the knee injury all summer after missing the final 14 weeks of the 2025 campaign with an injury to the same knee. Unable to practice much or play so far this summer, Benson could be on the outside looking in for a roster spot, considering he doesn’t play special teams.

The tight end might also have to stay on the PUP list when the campaign begins, at which point he would move from active/PUP to reserve/PUP and have to miss the first four regular-season contests. Reiman suffered a season-ending ankle injury four games into 2025 and began training camp on the active/PUP list. The 2024 third-round pick is set to play a supporting role behind starting tight end Trey McBride when he returns.

Sweat (knee) is almost ready to be activated off the PUP list, Darren Urban of the Cardinals‘ official site reports.

The pass rusher was placed on the active/PUP list before the start of training camp and has yet to participate in training camp. Sweat participated in mandatory minicamp in June, and his injury was never considered serious. The former Eagle recorded a career-high 12.0 sacks in his first season with the Cardinals last year.

Williams (Achilles) was activated from the PUP list by the Cardinals on Thursday, Darren Urban of the Cardinals’ official site reports.

Williams tore his Achilles in December of last season and began training camp on the active/PUP list. Now that he’s healthy again, the cornerback should be able to resume the starting role he filled for 10 games during the 2025 season, when he recorded 46 tackles (25 solo), five pass breakups, including an interception, and a forced fumble.

Coach Mike LaFleur said Beck (ribs) “most likely” won’t suit up for Saturday’s preseason contest against the Cowboys, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com reports.

Beck impressed in the Hall of Fame Game against the Panthers, completing 15 of 19 passes for 188 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions. However, he emerged from the contest with a rib injury, and the extent of his activity level since then has been individual drills. LaFleur added that Beck will throw after Thursday’s practice, which will give the Cardinals a sense of where he stands in his recovery.