The Arizona Diamondbacks optioned Jake McCarthy to Triple-A Reno, sending down the struggling outfielder after what had been a miserable start to his season at the plate.
Through Monday night, McCarthy had just nine hits in 63 at-bats, giving him a .143 average in 22 games.
It has been a disappointing start for a player coming off an impressive rookie season. Last year, McCarthy hit .283 with eight homers and 23 stolen bases, much of the production coming over the final two months of the season.
That performance helped convince the Diamondbacks to trade outfielder Daulton Varsho to the Toronto Blue Jays in a deal that brought catcher Gabriel Moreno and outfielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. to Arizona.
McCarthy had begun to lose at-bats to Pavin Smith, who is 11 for 31 (.355) with five extra-base hits in 12 games.
The club likely is hoping it can get McCarthy back on track at the plate in the hitter-friendly environment in Triple-A.
Coming up in McCarthy’s place is infielder Emmanuel Rivera, who is hitting .349/.378/.591 in 66 at-bats for Reno.
Arizona Diamondbacks Daily: D-Backs open series with ‘grinder’ win over Royals
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona Diamondbacks option outfielder Jake McCarthy to Triple-A Reno