The Arizona Diamondbacks optioned struggling outfielder Jake McCarthy to Triple-A Reno on Monday, according to the team’s transactions list.
McCarthy entered 2025 coming off his most complete season as a big leaguer, playing a career-high 142 games in 2024 with a batting line of .285/.349/.400 with eight home runs and 25 steals.
He began this year as cold as anyone in franchise history, however, setting a club record by starting the season 0-for-24.
It looked for a moment that McCarthy was on the upswing by breaking out of the hitless funk on April 9 against the Baltimore Orioles and then two games later delivering a game-tying single in a comeback win over the Milwaukee Brewers. He received praise from teammates for remaining a consistent presence during the struggles.
It turns out they were not over, as McCarthy has gone 0-for-10 at the plate since that triumphant moment. Overall, he is 3-for-41 at the plate, an 0.73 average. He also missed a couple games with a sore hand following a hit-by-pitch.
The Diamondbacks similarly optioned McCarthy to Triple-A in 2023 amid a slow start. He spent the next month in Reno and came back and played 77 games for the Diamondbacks, providing value as a fourth outfielder.
McCarthy started the year splitting time in center field with Alek Thomas, who after an injury-marred 2024 season has been solid at the plate this year. Thomas is hitting .283 with an OPS of .765. He has yet to homer in 60 plate appearances but has 10 RBIs and three stolen bases.
Overall, the bottom of the Diamondbacks’ order has not gotten going as a unit. Arizona ranks 28th in MLB with a .197 batting average when looking at hitters 5-9 in the batting order.
Arizona Sports’ John Gambadoro posted on X (formerly Twitter) he expects outfielder Jorge Barrosa will be recalled to the major league club. The coinciding move has not yet been announced by the team.
Barrosa would provide flexibility as a switch-hitter and a terrific defender whether he’s in center or at a corner. The 24-year-old has played 21 games for the Aces this season and is batting .295 with an .857 OPS.
He made his MLB debut last year, playing eight games with the big league club.
The Diamondbacks had Monday off and return to Chase Field on Tuesday to open a three-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays.
Diamondbacks’ active outfield depth
– Corbin Carroll
– Lourdes Gurriel Jr.
– Alek Thomas
– Randal Grichuk
– Garrett Hampson (utility)
