With MLB rosters expanding for the stretch run, the Diamondbacks got a little healthier and lost a familiar bullpen arm for the year.
Arizona activated outfielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and left-handed pitcher Blake Walston from the injured list, the team announced September 1, 2026. Gurriel had been dealing with multiple injuries this season, most recently a strained right abductor, while Walston is back after ulnar collateral ligament surgery.
The corresponding move sent right-hander Ryan Thompson to the 60-day injured list, which effectively closes the book on his 2026 season. Thompson, who had been a steady piece of Arizona’s bullpen since arriving in the Valley in 2023, is set to hit free agency in 2027. This season, he made 46 appearances and went 4-2 with a 4.43 ERA and 1.57 WHIP over 40.2 innings.
Those numbers weren’t as sharp as the ones he posted in earlier seasons, but Thompson was still a regular call from the bullpen and a trusted option for different spots and situations.
Gurriel and Walston return to a club still trying to fight its way into October. After Monday night’s 2-1 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies, the Diamondbacks sit half a game behind the final wild-card spot. With the regular season winding down, Arizona will need everyone available to keep pace.
The Diamondbacks now turn to bouncing back and trying to even the series against Philadelphia while also trying to make up ground in the postseason chase.
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