PHOENIX — The Arizona Diamondbacks outrighted first baseman Pavin Smith off the 40-man roster Monday, making the longtime D-back a minor-league free agent, Arizona Sports reported.
The move came as MLB free agency opened. The team also reinstated first baseman Tyler Locklear, right-hander Cristian Mena and left-hander Andrew Saalfrank from the 60-day injured list. The 40-man roster now stands at 33.
Smith, the No. 7 overall pick in 2017, debuted in 2020 and was part of the team that reached the 2023 World Series. In 488 games he hit 48 home runs with 192 RBIs and a .242/.325/.398 slash line, according to Arizona Sports.
Injuries cost him much of 2025 and 2026, and he was designated for assignment in July. After clearing waivers and playing at Triple-A Reno, he returned late in the season and hit a walk-off homer on the night of the 2001 World Series team reunion, but finished hitting .193.
Locklear, sidelined since Sept. 12 with a fractured thumb, could compete for time at first base. He has batted .201 with four homers in 46 games for Arizona.
Mena had season-ending shoulder surgery in June. Saalfrank had left shoulder surgery in February after posting a 1.24 ERA in 28 games in 2025 and could be a bullpen option in 2027, Arizona Sports reported.
Sources: Arizona Sports. Thee Arizona Times uses AI-assisted reporting reviewed against the sources listed.
Photo: MSgt. Raheem Moore / Public domain via Wikimedia Commons.
