Christian Walker returns to Reno on rehab assignment

RENO, Nev. – The Arizona Diamondbacks sent Christian Walker on a rehab assignment to the Reno Aces on May 24 as part of his recovery from a right oblique strain. The D-Backs’ infielder is expected to appear at Greater Nevada Field on Thursday and Friday.

His injury stint with the Aces will mark the first time Walker will appear in Reno since Aug. 2018. Even though it only lasted two seasons, the Norristown, Pa., native’s career with the Aces was highlighted by dominant hitting and no shortage of franchise records.

The 2009 draft pick joined the Diamondbacks’ organization in March 2017 when he was claimed off of waivers from the Cincinnati Reds and assigned to Reno. On Opening Day, he and fellow D-Backs’ mainstay Ketel Marte each recorded three hits and three runs against Fresno.

Walker’s stellar opening day was just the beginning of his best year in Reno. He played in 133 games, hitting .308 with a .597 slugging percentage. The first baseman set a single-season franchise record with 32 home runs, which held the top spot until 2019. His 114 RBIs in 2017 still remain the second-most in franchise history.

After leading the Aces in hits (159), runs (104), total bases (307), walks (61), RBIs (114) and home runs (32), Walker was named 2017 Pacific Coast League MVP.

C-Walk played nearly as well in 2018, batting .299 with a .568 slugging percentage, 18 home runs, 71 RBIs and 97 hits in 84 games. During his last game in Reno on Aug. 27, the infielder smacked a triple and picked up two RBIs.

Walker is in the top-10 for multiple all-time franchise records. His 59 doubles are tied for fifth-most with Socrates Brito. The 30-year-old’s 491 total bases are fifth all-time while his 256 hits rank seventh. His 172 runs match Mike Freeman for seventh-most in Aces history.

Since moving up to Arizona, Walker has continued to set records. In 2019, the eventual D-backs Rookie of the Year played in 152 games, hitting .259 and slugging .476. The 29 home runs and 73 RBIs were each the second-most by a Diamondbacks’ rookie. Defensively, Walker earned a spot among Golden Glove finalists to round out his first season.

In 2020, D-Backs’ first baseman played in 57 games, recording a .271 batting average, along with seven home runs. Walker ranked third in the National League with 18 doubles and 16th with 59 hits.

Before his injury in 2021, Walker was working a .203 batting average with a home run and five RBIs.