Josh Vanmeter

VanMeter started at second base and went 0-for-2 with two walks in Wednesday's 3-2 loss to Milwaukee. VanMeter made his third start in four games, as Arizona manager Torey Lovullo followed through on his statement earlier this week that the 26-year-old infielder would see more action during this callup than his previous stint in the majors. When up with the Diamondbacks in April and May, VanMeter primarily served as a pinch hitter and started one or two games per week. Whether the manager continues to regularly insert VanMeter into the starting lineup likely depends on his bat. He's hitless with four walks in 14 plate appearances since his callup and has a .509 OPS for the season.

Arizona manager Torey Lovullo expects VanMeter to receive more playing time during this stint in the majors than he did at the beginning of the season, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports. VanMeter, who was called up Sunday and immediately started at second base, had a walk and an...

The Arizona Diamondbacks have activated pitcher Taylor Widener off the injured list. The 26-year-old is slated to start Sunday’s matchup against the Colorado Rockies. In a corresponding move, Arizona optioned utilityman Josh VanMeter to the Triple-A Reno Aces following Saturday night’s loss to the Colorado Rockies. Widener will make his...

VanMeter was optioned to Triple-A Reno on Sunday. The 26-year-old has a .159/.280/.261 slash line in 37 games, so it's not a major surprise to see Arizona send him to the minors with Ketel Marte back from the injured list. VanMeter could receive another opportunity later in the year if the team needs infield depth.

VanMeter went 1-for-1 with a walk and a three-run home run Wednesday against the Reds. VanMeter entered into the game in the seventh inning to pinch hit for Nick Ahmed. He worked a walk to load the bases in his initial plate appearance, but he was stranded at first base. The highlight of his effort came two innings later, however, when he took Amir Garrett deep for a three-run, game-tying home run in the ninth frame. The shot was VanMeter's first long ball of the campaign. VanMeter has popped in and out of the lineup to this point, though he figures to serve primarily as a bench bat as the season progresses.

VanMeter started at second base and went 1-for-3 with a triple in Monday's 9-4 loss to Oakland. VanMeter made a second consecutive start (both against righties) after he reached base five times Sunday. He was eventually removed for a pinch hitter when lefty Jake Diekman entered the game, as VanMeter is a career .143 hitter (.514 OPS) against southpaws. The Diamondbacks have several utility infielders rostered -- Wyatt Mathisen, Josh Rojas and Andrew Young -- which makes VanMeter a fungible piece.

VanMeter started at second base and went 2-for-2 with three walks and a double in Sunday's 7-0 win over the Reds. VanMeter started for the third time in 10 games, sliding into the lineup for Asdrubal Cabrera. With the return of shortstop Nick Ahmed, infield at-bats will be fewer for players like VanMeter, Josh Rojas and Wyatt Mathisen. Rojas' slow start (2-for-27) after a torrid spring could open more chances for VanMeter among the three backups.

VanMeter started at second base Saturday and went 0-for-2 in a 7-0 loss to San Diego. VanMeter made his season debut after Eduardo Escobar started the first two games at second base. The Diamondbacks have a few moving parts in the infield, so manager Torey Lovullo has some flexibility when crafting a lineup. On top of that, the Diamondbacks have infield injuries to shortstop Nick Ahmed (knee) and first baseman Christian Walker (face), which could lead to more maneuvering.

VanMeter started at second base and went 1-for-3 with a three-run home run in Saturday's spring game against San Diego. VanMeter's blast was just his fourth hit in 23 Cactus League at-bats (.174). He's competing for a roster spot, but early-camp struggles put him behind the main competitors -- both Josh Rojas (12-for-32, three HR, six RBI) and Wyatt Mathisen (5-for-15, five RBI) have outperformed VanMeter at the dish. The offseason addition of Asdrubal Cabrera presents another hurdle for VanMeter.

VanMeter went 1-for-2 with a three-run home run in Sunday's spring game against the Giants. VanMeter has belted three-run homers in two straight games, as the utility infielder appears to have found the timing of his swing. "I know he has been getting together with our hitting coaches and working hard to get balanced and stay through the baseball and finish his swing. I think naturally his timing has started to get better (with the benefit of more at-bats)," manager Torey Lovullo told Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic. The left-handed hitting VanMeter is heating up, but he may be considered redundant to Josh Rojas, who has been one of the best hitters in camp. The Diamondbacks may want to keep a right-handed bat, like Trayce Thompson or Wyatt Mathisen, instead of a second left-handed bat off the bench.