53 Christian Walker 1B

Walker went 2-for-4 with two doubles, an RBI and a run scored in Thursday's 5-0 win over Pittsburgh.

Walker finished up a 10-game road trip as stylishly as the Diamondbacks did. Arizona went 8-2 and swept the Pirates and Braves, while Walker batted .447 (17-for-38) with eight extra-base hits, including three home runs, and eight RBI. Off the radar when the year started, Walker ranks 10th with a 180 wRC+ through 24 games.

Walker went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in a 12-4 victory against the Pirates on Monday.

The 28-year-old capped off the seven-run seventh for the Diamondbacks with a two-run bomb. That's his seventh homer of the year, including fourth since April 14. Also since that date, Walker has a seven-game hitting streak and is batting .552. In large part due to the hot streak, Walker has been a pleasant surprise for owners early this season, slashing .347/.413/.722 with 13 extra-base hits, 13 RBI, 13 runs and three stolen bases in 72 at-bats.

Walker (hip) is back in the lineup Monday against the Pirates, batting fifth and playing first base.

Walker was dealing with a hip point and sat out Sunday's contest, but the issues was always expected to be a minor one. He's riding a six-game hitting streak in which he's gone 15-for-25 at the plate.

Walker's absence from the lineup Sunday against the Cubs is due to a hip pointer, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

The minor injury explains why Walker will hit the bench following a four-hit performance. He's expected to return to the lineup for Monday's game against the Pirates.

Walker is not starting Sunday against the Cubs.

After a stretch in which he picked up two hits in nine games, Walker has 15 over his last six contests. Wilmer Flores will slide over to first base in his absence, with Ketel Marte moving in from center field to second base.