D-backs Prospect Gets Start at New Position After Unbelievable Debut

The Diamondbacks' newest contributor starts elsewhere against Tarik Skubal.

Mar 31, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Jose Fernandez (11) plays against the Detroit Tigers in the eighth inning at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images | Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images

Arizona Diamondbacks No. 27 prospect Jose Fernandez landed in the big leagues with a bang on Tuesday night, crushing two home runs and delivering the final blow in a 5-0 comeback win.

Fernandez's efforts were historic for the D-backs, and forced manager Torey Lovullo to keep the 22-year-old in the lineup on Wednesday. But Fernandez will be playing a new position, already.

Fernandez, who got the vast majority of his reps at third base and shortstop, will play first base and hit seventh in the Diamondbacks' order against a tough left-hander in Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal.

Fernandez is not a total stranger to first base, but he played only nine games at that position in the minor leagues last season, with 104 games at shortstop and a handful more at third base. He did not play first base in the Cactus League among MLB talent, at all, and Lovullo had previously stated that he did not necessarily see Fernandez as a backup first base option.

Diamondbacks' Jose Fernandez back in lineup at new position

Lovullo had confirmed that Fernandez would return to Arizona's lineup after his debut performance. Fernandez has been a player the D-backs and their coaching staff have watched grow into a potential star for some time.

"I don't think any part of the day gets too big for him," Lovullo said. "He can slow the game down at the right point in time. ... I think he's a highly intelligent player and we've known about him for a long time. He was 17 years old. Now he's 22. We've had him for five years and watched him develop. So we know what he's built on and there's a lot of trust."

Veteran Nolan Arenado will return to third base, with Ildemaro Vargas at second to allow Ketel Marte to slide into a DH role and get a day off his feet.

Arizona's full lineup is as follows:

1. DH Ketel Marte
2. RF Corbin Carroll
3. SS Geraldo Perdomo
4. C Gabriel Moreno
5. 2B Ildemaro Vargas
6. 3B Nolan Arenado
7. 1B Jose Fernandez
8. LF Tim Tawa
9. CF Jordan Lawlar

It's also worth noting that lefty-hitting Alek Thomas is out of this lineup, with Jordan Lawlar getting the start in center field and Tim Tawa playing left — two right-handed bats.

Zac Gallen takes on Tarik Skubal

Mar 26, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Zac Gallen (23) throws a pitch against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the fifth inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

D-backs righty Zac Gallen will be looking to rebound from a rough Dodger Stadium outing to open the year. To Gallen's credit, he had been working efficiently and effectively until a pair of unlucky baserunners led to a mistake pitch — one that turned into a three-run homer.

Gallen has looked sharper leading up to the season, but could use a sturdy outing to get back on track.

Meanwhile, Arizona will face one of the best pitchers in the game in Skubal. Skubal was as dominant as ever in his first start of the year, throwing six innings with just one unearned run to go with six strikeouts and three hits allowed. He needed only 74 pitches to do so.