Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Nolan Arenado was initially in Thursday night's starting lineup against the San Francisco Giants, but he's since been removed, less than an hour prior to first pitch.

Arenado will be replaced by rookie infielder Jose Fernandez. No other positional maneuvering was necessary for the Diamondbacks.

Arenado had been dealing with an injury to his torso/intercostal region, due to which the veteran was pulled from Arizona's finale against the Atlanta Braves and subsequently ended up sitting out the next few games.

Diamondbacks' Nolan Arenado scratched Thursday

Here's what the Diamondbacks' lineup looks like now, sans Arenado, for the first of their four-game series at Oracle Park:

1. DH Lars Nootbaar
2. RF Corbin Carroll
3. C Gabriel Moreno
4. SS Geraldo Perdomo
5. LF Max Kepler
6. 1B Tim Tawa
7. 3B Jose Fernandez
8. 2B Ildemaro Vargas
9. CF Ryan Waldschmidt

It is unclear as of this writing exactly why Arenado was scratched. It may be related to his previous injury, but could be a new, different issue. Diamondbacks On SI will continue to provide the latest on this story.

When Arenado did initially return from that injury, he was limited to DH for a short period. The key was his ability to uncork a throw from third base at full effort.

When he did return to third base, it did not appear that he was hindered in any way, which was a positive sign, despite concern that an IL stint might have been necessary. It was not necessart at the time, but that could change moving forward, of course.

Arenado is having a resurgent season. Though his numbers are not that of the superstar he once was, he's hitting to a .238/.315/.434 slash and a .749 OPS. He's tied with Ketel Marte for the team lead in home runs with 21 — the first time he's reached the 20-homer mark since the 2023 season.

Fernandez has done an admirable job since returning from the minor leagues, however. He's hit .350/.458/.450 since his last recall and has played sturdy defense at third base, despite some hiccups here and there.

Perhaps more impressive than his hitting numbers, Fernandez has only struck out four times in his last 20 at-bats while working four walks. That has been an area he needed to improve, and it would appear he is doing so. Fernandez is still just 22 years old.

Still, losing Arenado for significant time would be a blow to the Diamondbacks' playoff hopes.