The Arizona Diamondbacks are preparing for one of their most important games of the season so far as they look to secure a series victory over the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium. Holding a 2-1 advantage in the four-game set, Arizona enters Thursday’s contest with an opportunity to build momentum and further strengthen its position in the National League standings.
After struggling offensively for stretches of the season, the Diamondbacks have shown signs of life in recent days. The club has captured back-to-back victories over St. Louis thanks to a combination of timely hitting, improved run production, and strong performances from key contributors throughout the lineup. Now, Arizona is adding another experienced bat to the mix in hopes of finishing the series on a high note.
The biggest development ahead of Thursday’s matchup is the return of veteran outfielder Max Kepler, who has officially been reinstated and will make his debut in a Diamondbacks uniform. The left-handed hitter is being thrown directly into the starting lineup and is expected to provide both power and veteran leadership as Arizona faces Cardinals right-hander Michael McGreevy.
Kepler’s arrival gives manager Torey Lovullo another experienced option in the outfield and adds a much-needed left-handed power presence to the lineup. Rather than easing him into action, the Diamondbacks are immediately giving him a significant role, with the veteran slated to start in left field and hit in the middle portion of the batting order.
The Diamondbacks’ lineup for the series finale features several of the team’s most important offensive weapons, including Ketel Marte, Geraldo Perdomo, Corbin Carroll, Adrian Del Castillo, Lourdes Gurriel Jr., and Pavin Smith. Kepler’s inclusion creates additional lineup flexibility while potentially making Arizona more dangerous against right-handed pitching.
His insertion into the lineup also results in several positional adjustments. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. will shift into the designated hitter role, allowing Kepler to patrol left field. Pavin Smith remains at first base, while Tommy Troy moves back into center field as Arizona attempts to maximize both offense and defense in a crucial game.
Arizona signed Kepler to a one-year contract on June 7 while he was still serving an 80-game suspension related to a performance-enhancing drug violation. The move was viewed as a low-risk gamble by the organization, with the front office believing the veteran still possesses enough talent to contribute at the major league level.
Although Kepler’s most recent season with the Philadelphia Phillies was disappointing from a statistical standpoint, the Diamondbacks remain optimistic about what he can bring to the club. In 2025, he posted a .216 batting average, a .300 on-base percentage, and a .391 slugging percentage. While those numbers fell below expectations, they do not fully reflect the offensive upside he has displayed throughout much of his career.
Kepler has long been known for his ability to hit for power, particularly against right-handed pitching. Throughout his major league tenure, he has demonstrated the ability to drive the ball into the gaps and over the fence, making him a potential difference-maker when healthy and productive. His career profile includes multiple double-digit home run seasons and the capability of reaching the 20-homer mark when given regular playing time.
Beyond his offensive contributions, Kepler is also regarded as a dependable defensive outfielder. His experience and strong fundamentals should allow him to provide stability in left field while helping improve Arizona’s overall outfield defense. The Diamondbacks believe his all-around skill set can make him a valuable contributor as they continue their push toward postseason contention.
Kepler’s activation was part of a series of roster moves completed by Arizona earlier in the day. To create space on the active roster, utility player Tim Tawa was optioned to the minor leagues. The organization also transferred pitcher Ryne Nelson to the 60-day injured list, opening room on both the 26-man and 40-man rosters.
In addition, left-handed pitcher Mitch Bratt was sent back to Triple-A, while right-handed reliever Juan Burgos was promoted to provide additional bullpen depth. The flurry of transactions reflects Arizona’s desire to optimize its roster as the team enters a critical stretch of the season.
For the Diamondbacks, Thursday’s game represents more than just another contest on the schedule. Winning the series against the Cardinals would further validate the club’s recent improvement and provide a significant boost heading into the next phase of the season. With the offense beginning to show signs of consistency and a veteran addition like Kepler now available, Arizona hopes it has found another weapon capable of helping the team compete in the increasingly crowded National League playoff race.
All eyes will be on Kepler as he makes his Diamondbacks debut, and Arizona will be hoping the veteran can make an immediate impact as the club seeks to close out a statement series victory on the road against St. Louis.
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