The Diamondbacks reinstated prospect Kristian Robinson from the restricted list on Monday and optioned him to Low-A Visalia, restarting the highly regarded outfielder’s professional career after a 3 1/2-year interruption.
Robinson, 22, has not played in an official minor league game since the end of the 2019 season due to the legal fallout stemming from an altercation with a law enforcement officer in April 2020.
He is expected to be in the lineup for Visalia’s next game, scheduled for Tuesday night at Lake Elsinore.
Robinson had been unable to secure a work visa after he was sentenced to 18 months’ probation.
At the time of the incident, Robinson was rated among the Top 100 prospects in baseball. He is an athletic outfielder with power and speed. In 291 plate appearances split between short-season ball and Low-A, he hit a combined .282/.368/.514 with 14 homers and 17 steals.
Robinson has been able to participate in baseball activities at Salt River Fields, including playing in extended spring training games, but has been unable to appear in official games due to his visa status. He secured a work visa last month.
Monday’s move officially makes Robinson an active member of the club’s 40-man roster, meaning the club had to free up a spot for him. To do so, the Diamondbacks designated right-hander Peter Solomon for assignment.
—Nick Piecoro
A number of important pieces for the Diamondbacks are steadily progressing towards returns from the injured list.
Left fielder Kyle Lewis is the closest of the group, having already made five rehab appearances in Triple-A as he ramps up his recovery from an undisclosed illness. Lewis is 6 for 23 (.261) with three home runs in those games, including two on Sunday. He has been alternating days between playing left field and serving as the designated hitter.
“He’s pushing in the right direction,” Lovullo said. “The at-bats have been consistent. It’s just a matter of him building endurance. My discussions have kind of lived in that area. Build that endurance, continue to gather strength, which he’s showing.”
The Diamondbacks still have two more weeks before they either have to activate Lewis or option him to Reno.
Carson Kelly is also progressing towards a return from a broken bone in his forearm sustained when he was hit by a pitch in spring training. Kelly has taken 15 live at-bats in extended spring training. Kelly will catch five innings in an extended spring training game Monday, his first time doing so in live action. From there, he’ll take live at-bats Tuesday. If everything goes according to plan in those two sessions, Kelly could begin a rehab assignment as soon as the middle of this week.
“(Kelly) is in a really good spot,” Lovullo said. “I think he accepts what that process is and how it transitions to the next day and it gets a little bit better. So every day has been better and better and better for Carson and I’m seeing that through his eyes.”
Like Lewis, there is some uncertainty around Kelly’s role once he is ready to return. He was slated to start the year as the Diamondbacks’ starting catcher, but in his absence, Gabriel Moreno has hit .295/.331/.386 with excellent defense. Lovullo said the club does not yet know what the split will be at catcher upon Kelly’s return.
The final Diamondback close to a return is Joe Mantiply, who strained his hamstring while warming up for a bullpen appearance earlier this month. Mantiply will throw tomorrow in Kelly’s live at-bat session and then likely begin a brief rehab assignment.
Mantiply only made eight major league appearances between his return from a shoulder injury on April 18 and his hamstring injury on May 11. He allowed two runs in 7 2/3 innings, serving as a reliable late inning arm.
—Theo Mackie
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: D-Backs prospect Kristian Robinson to resume career after legal woes