Arizona Diamondbacks gear up for Dodgers series as roster shake‑up unfolds

The Arizona Diamondbacks will open a three‑game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday, July 10, 2026, at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers enter the game with a league‑best 61‑33 record while the Diamondbacks sit at 46‑47. Starting pitcher Eduardo Rodríguez (7‑3, 2.25 ERA) will take the mound for Arizona. The Dodgers’ scheduled starter Shohei Ohtani was scratched with a left‑knee issue; right‑hander Kyle Hurt will start a bullpen game and Ohtani will serve as designated hitter.

Ahead of the series, Arizona designated first baseman Pavin Smith for assignment after posting a .141/.236/.192 slash line in 28 games. The move cleared a roster spot for rookie outfielder Ryan Waldschmidt, who returned to the major‑league club and will start in center field. Utilityman Tim Tawa will fill first base, and Ketel Marte will bat as designated hitter. The Diamondbacks' lineup also features Corbin Carroll, Gabriel Moreno, Lourdes Gurriel Jr., Ildemaro Vargas, Nolan Arenado and others.

Team analysts note the Diamondbacks are in “trade‑deadline purgatory,” with several players (Zac Gallen, Lourdes Gurriel Jr., Ryan Thompson, James McCann, Kevin Ginkel, Paul Sewald, Ildemaro Vargas, A.J. Puk, Michael Soroka, Max Kepler) approaching free agency. While the club remains within striking distance of a Wild‑Card spot, questions persist about the rotation, bullpen and lineup depth. The upcoming Dodgers series, featuring a rare pitcher‑vs‑pitcher matchup between Rodríguez and Ohtani (who holds a 1.06 career ERA against Arizona), serves as a litmus test for the team's short‑term competitiveness.