Overview
- The Diamondbacks designated Lourdes Gurriel Jr. for assignment on Sunday, Sept. 13, removing him from the 40-man roster and giving the club a short window to trade him, place him on waivers, or release him.
- Rookie infielder Jose Fernandez was recalled from Triple-A Reno the same day to provide defensive versatility and bench depth during the late-season stretch.
- Gurriel’s 2026 season was limited by a September 2025 ACL tear, two additional injured-list stints, and just 51 games played while producing a career-low .544 OPS with two home runs.
- Gurriel is under a three-year, $42 million deal that carries a $14 million team option for next year with a $5 million buyout, a financial factor that shapes Arizona’s roster and trade choices.
- Arizona sits 1.5 games behind the Padres for the final NL wild-card spot, so the move immediately affects the club’s playoff roster flexibility and could lead to a trade or waiver claim in the coming days.