What Tommy Troy’s Shoulder Injury Means for Arizona

The Arizona Diamondbacks will begin the second half without rookie outfielder Tommy Troy, adding another health concern to a roster chasing a National League wild-card spot. Troy was placed on the 10-day injured list with a sprained right AC joint after crashing into the center-field wall at Dodger Stadium. The move is retroactive to July 12, making July 22 his earliest possible return, although Arizona has not announced a recovery timeline.

Setting the Scene

Troy entered the majors after beginning the season with Triple-A Reno. Arizona called him up in late May while injuries created opportunities for younger players, and the former first-round pick quickly became part of the club’s outfield rotation.

Primarily an infielder when Arizona selected him No. 12 overall in the 2023 MLB Draft, Troy began playing the outfield with Reno last season. He has since started 21 games in left field and 14 in center field for the Diamondbacks, showing the versatility Arizona needed while Jordan Lawlar and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. dealt with injuries.

AC joint

The acromioclavicular joint, located where the shoulder blade meets the collarbone.

10-day injured list

An MLB roster designation that removes an injured position player from the active roster for at least 10 days.

Here's What Happened

Troy was injured during the fifth inning of Arizona’s July 11 game against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Tracking a 392-foot fly ball hit by Teoscar Hernández, he reached the center-field wall and completed the catch before striking it with his throwing shoulder.

The rookie immediately grabbed his right shoulder and underhanded the ball to Corbin Carroll. Manager Torey Lovullo and assistant athletic trainer Max Esposito checked on him before he left the game. Troy later described feeling a sharp pain and said his shoulder mobility remained difficult several hours afterward.

Arizona initially listed the injury as a shoulder contusion and considered Troy day-to-day. He sat out the following game, then underwent an MRI that revealed the AC joint sprain. The club formally placed him on the injured list Wednesday, retroactive to Sunday.

The Diamondbacks did not announce a corresponding roster move, leaving their 40-man roster at 39 players. In a separate transaction, first baseman Pavin Smith cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Reno.

Reactions & Responses

Lovullo’s initial day-to-day assessment reflected the uncertainty before imaging clarified the injury. The MRI changed the immediate outlook, guaranteeing that Troy will miss at least part of the schedule following the All-Star break.

Ryan Waldschmidt and Jorge Barrosa covered center field after Troy exited. Waldschmidt had returned after suffering a right thumb contusion during the same Dodgers series, illustrating how quickly Arizona’s outfield depth was tested over consecutive games.

Fantasy-focused reports also point to additional opportunities for Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and Max Kepler while Troy is unavailable. Arizona has not confirmed how it will divide those starts or whether it will promote another player.

The Bigger Picture

Troy’s batting line has been modest, but his absence removes a flexible defender during a meaningful stretch. Through 39 games, he has hit .223 with a .299 on-base percentage and a .364 slugging percentage, producing four home runs, three doubles, one triple and nine RBIs.

Arizona entered the break at 49-47 after completing a three-game sweep of the Dodgers. One report placed the Diamondbacks 2.5 games behind the final National League wild-card position, meaning depth could influence whether the club sustains its postseason push.

The injury also interrupts Troy’s defensive development. He was learning two outfield positions at the major league level after being drafted as an infielder, and his wall catch demonstrated both his athletic range and the physical risk that comes with that transition.

The Road Ahead

Arizona opens its second-half schedule Friday with a home series against the St. Louis Cardinals. Because the injured-list move was backdated, Troy can become eligible during the following series against the Athletics, with July 22 identified as the earliest possible return date.

Eligibility does not guarantee activation. The Diamondbacks have not disclosed the grade of the sprain or a firm timetable, so Troy’s progress and restored shoulder mobility will determine when he rejoins the lineup.