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The Arizona Diamondbacks have reinstated infielder Willie Bloomquist from the 15-day disabled list and optioned left-handed pitcher David Holmberg to Double-A Mobile, according to D-backs' Executive Vice President & General Manager Kevin Towers.
Bloomquist, 35, has been on the disabled list since July 2 (retroactive to June 27) with a left hand contusion suffered when he was hit in the left hand as pinch-hitter on June 26 against the Nationals. In two rehab games for Triple-A Reno on August 26-27, he went 2-for-6 (.333) with 1 RBI. In four games for the AZL D-backs from August 19-24, he was 6-for-12 (.500) with 1 double and 1 RBI. In 22 games for the D-backs, he is hitting .292 (21-for-72) with 4 doubles and 8 RBI. Willie also began the season on the disabled list with a strained right oblique and was reinstated on May 31.
Holmberg, 22, made his Major League debut last night vs. Padres and did not figure in the 10-inning, 10-9 win, allowing 3 runs in 3.2 innings. He entered the season ranked as the D-backs No. 6 prospect by Baseball America and No. 8 by MLB.com. This season, he is 5-7 with a 2.66 ERA (45 ER in 152.1 IP) in 25 starts for the BayBears while holding opponents to a .233 average with 47 walks and 115 strikeouts. Among Southern League leaders, he is second in fewest baserunners per 9.0 innings (10.87), tied for second in WHIP (1.16), third in innings (152.1) and fourth in ERA (2.66).
Bloomquist goes straight back into the starting line-up for tonight's game against the Padres, playing shortstop. Not sure how I feel about that: regardless of whether we want to win, or are now playing towards the 2014 campaign, it seems a generally doubtful decision to give him playing time over Cliff Pennington or Didi Gregorius. However, there is a left-hander on the mound for San Diego, so from that angle, it probably does make sense.