The Diamondbacks are optioning infielder to Triple-A Reno, reports . Infielder will be taking Lawlars roster spot. Vargas triggered an opt-out from his minor league deal and was released earlier this week. Gambadoro that Tyrone Taylor Jersey Vargas will be re-signed to a major league deal. Arizona has an open 40-man roster spot at the moment, though it will be full once Vargas is officially added. Lawlar, 22, earned a promotion to the majors earlier this month. One of the top prospects in the league, he had a monster line of .336/.413/.579 in Triple-A and it was getting harder and harder for the club to justify keeping him in Reno. However, they didnt really have a great way to get him into the big league lineup. His primary position is shortstop, though hes also spent some time at second and third base. The Diamondbacks have at short, at third and at second. and usually platoon in the designated hitter spot. Theyre all performing well this year, to varying degrees. Nonethele s, manager Torey Lovullo felt there was a path to get Lawlar into the lineup about four times per week while others rested. That hasnt really come to pa s. Lawlar was called up on May 12th and has subsequently appeared in eight games. Only six of those were starts. He entered one other game as a pinch hitter and another as a pinch runner. He hasnt performed well in that sporadic playing time. In 22 plate appearances, he has three walks but nine strikeouts and no hits. Optioning him down therefore makes sense, as theres not much use in having him scuffle in a part-time role. Its far better for his long-term outlook to play regularly as he continues his development. An injury to one of the current infielders would likely result in him making a quick return to the majors. His long-term path to playing time looks stronger since Surez and Grichuk are impending free agents. With the Diamondbacks five games out of a playoff spot, its po sible they end up traded this summer, which could get Lawlar another look in the big leagues. First baseman is also an impending free agent, which could allow Smith to take over that spot in the near future. For now, Vargas is a more logical bench infielder. A 33-year-old veteran, he has 422 big league games under his belt, having bounced around the field to every position except catcher and center field. He also hits from both sides of the plate. His .246/.289/.354 career batting line amounts to a wRC+ of 75, which is below average production in a vacuum but generally around what a club would expect from a versatile bench piece. He started this year with the Diamondbacks on a minor league deal but, as mentioned, opted out a few days ago. Before triggering that opt-out, he hit .261/.330/.397 over 49 games for Reno. Photo courtesy of Mark J. Rebilas, Imagn Images Eddy Alvarez Jersey