Dbacks recap and notes

Smith is dealing with forearm tightness and will be rested for the next couple of days, Jose M. Romero of The Arizona Republic reports.

Both Smith and catcher Gabriel Moreno are dealing with forearm tightness, though only the latter will undergo further testing. That indicates that Smith’s injury isn’t considered a long-term concern, and he could be back in Cactus League action over the coming days. Smith is looking to build off of a 2025 campaign in which he slashed .258/.362/.434 with two steals, eight home runs and 28 RBI in 287 plate appearances during the regular season.

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo told reporters that Moreno was scratched from the lineup for Friday’s Cactus League game against the Royals due to forearm tightness, Jose M. Romero of The Arizona Republic reports.

Moreno will undergo an MRI to determine the severity of the injury, so the Diamondbacks should provide an update for the 26-year-old catcher in the coming days. Adrian Del Castillo is unlikely to be ready for Opening Day while rehabbing from a calf strain, so James McCann would get the bulk of the work behind home plate if Moreno were to be sidelined for an extended amount of time.

Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said Thursday that Lawlar will get some looks in the corner outfield before spring training is over, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports.

Lawlar has seen time in center field during Cactus League action, but with Alek Thomas set to return from the World Baseball Classic after Team Mexico was eliminated, that path to playing time will dwindle. Lourdes Gurriel (knee) will be out until at least mid-April, so Lawlar could get opportunities in both center and left field when the regular season opens. He’s hit well this spring, posting a .323/.432/.742 slash line with four home runs and six walks over 10 games, and he could add a speed-power dynamic to the bottom third of the order.

Gurriel (knee) could return to game action by mid-April, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Gurriel is pushing to be ready by Opening Day, and an appearance in a Cactus League game as a designated hitter is still on the table, per Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports. While Gurriel may be hoping to play Opening Day, comments made earlier this spring by manager Torey Lovullo suggest the team will take a more cautious approach with his recovery from September knee surgery.

Nelson allowed three runs one two hits and one walk while striking out four over 3.1 innings in Wednesday’s spring start against the Athletics.

Nelson was able to work his pitch count to 56 (37 strikes) and generated 10 whiffs but was also taken deep twice in his third Cactus League start. He was removed in the middle of one inning to ensure that he got a fourth up-and-down. The right-hander has allowed five runs while striking out 10 and walking one over eight spring innings.