by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (5/15/2013) With Didi Gregorius' emergence, Diamondbacks veteran shortstop Cliff Pennington has seen his playing time dwindle. In fact, he's been sharing time at second base with Josh Wilson and Martin Prado, and he's made just three starts since May 5.
He could see even less playing time when Aaron Hill (hand) comes off the disabled list. Pennington is batting just .212 through 34 games and isn't exactly forcing his way into the lineup.
"When you get a chance to play you got to play," Pennington said, per The Arizona Republic. "I got off to a slow start and had a rough stretch for a few at-bats, but I’ve been swinging it good in May and I feel good, so I just got to keep that going."
Cliff Pennington not getting much playing time
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (5/13/2013) Diamondbacks infielder Cliff Pennington, who struck out in his only at-bat as a pinch-hitter Sunday during a loss to Philadelphia, is batting just .210 this season entering Monday's games. Pennington has only started twice in the last six games and wasn't in the starting lineup for Monday's game against Atlanta, either.
Pennington has seen just 17 at-bats over seven appearances and five starts in May. He's gone 4 for 17 (.235) over that stretch with a homer and six RBI. Josh Wilson and Martin Prado are seeing most of the starts at second base over Pennington.
Cliff Pennington pops first homer
by Ed Gauna | CBSSports.com (5/2/2013) Diamondbacks shortstop Cliff Pennington had a productive night at the plate in Wednesday's series finale against the Giants. He went 2 for 4 with a home run and four RBI in the 9-6 loss.
The 28-year-old hit a three-run homer off starter Tim Lincecum in his first at-bat for his first long ball of the year. He doubled home Eric Chavez in the sixth inning.
Pennington has collected at least one hit in four straight games and has gone 6 for 13 (.462) during that stretch.
Cliff Pennington to play some 2B
by Ed Gauna | CBSSports.com (4/16/2013) With Aaron Hill going on the disabled list and Didi Gregorius being activated on Tuesday, Cliff Pennington will see some playing time at second base for the Diamondbacks going forward, MLB.com reports.
Pennington will slide over to second when Gregorius starts at shortstop. He played second down the stretch for the A's last season.
The 28-year-old is batting .267 (12 for 45) through 12 games with three RBI.
Cliff Pennington praised for his defense
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (4/16/2013) First-year Diamondbacks shortstop Cliff Pennington might not be making a big impression offensively, the team is pleased with his contributions, especially on the defensive end.
"He's been outstanding," Diamondbacks bench coach Alan Trammell said, per MLB.com. "He's come over and done everything we were hoping for, we've been impressed. He's one of the reasons why we're at where we are. It's so far so good with him, he's brought what we needed and solidified the position."
Pennington, who has two errors through 12 games, ranks fourth among all qualifying shortstops in zone rating, which the percentage of balls fielded by a player in his typical defensive zone, as measured by STATS, Inc. He's also sixth in range factor, which is an advanced fielding percentage stat that takes into account the player's individual ability to get to each batted ball.
"He's able to do it all," Trammell said. "He often shows he has a real good God-given talent in certain plays, but that's a bonus for me. It's more about making the routine plays, and that's what I've seen out of him."
Frustrated Cliff Pennington gets tossed
by Chris Towers | CBSSports.com (4/13/2013) Diamondbacks shortstop Cliff Pennington has been struggling at the plate to open the season, and he let his frustration get the best of him Saturday against the Dodgers.
Pennington was ejected from the game in the bottom of the seventh inning after slamming his bat on home plate following a called third strike. He was 1 for 3 in the game with a run scored and a pair of strikeouts.
Pennington is batting just .238 with one extra-base hit in 42 at bats. He has struck out 10 times.
Cliff Pennington playing every inning at shortstop
by R.J. White | CBSSports.com (4/11/2013) Diamondbacks shortstop Cliff Pennington has spent every inning of the team's first nine games at shortstop, including all of a 16-inning contest in the first week of the season. The Diamondbacks are short on options at the position with both Willie Bloomquist and Didi Gregorius on the disabled list.
Pennington may be in for a night off in the team's weekend series agianst the Dodgers. He has struggled against left-handers in his career, and the Diamondbacks are slated to face southpaws on Friday and Saturday. If he sits, utlility infielder Josh Wilson would likely draw the start at shortstop.
Cliff Pennington hits walk-off single
by Chris Cwik | CBSSports.com (4/4/2013) Diamondbacks shortstop Cliff Pennington hit a walk-off single to give the Diamondbacks the win in a wild 16-inning game against the Cardinals.
Pennington went 3 for 6 with three singles during the affair. He also walked twice. Pennington has been batting eighth this season, and could see his on-base percentage increase as teams walk him to face Arizona's pitcher. He should play quite a bit, but isn't a threat to hit for power.
Cliff Pennington having trouble making contact
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (4/2/2013) Shortstop Cliff Pennington did not have a memorable Arizona debut Monday against the Cardinals. Pennington was hitless in four at-bats, which included three strikeouts.
Pennington is now hitless in his last 10 regular-season at-bats dating back to last season, striking out five times in that span.
Cliff Pennington and Willie Bloomquist to see time at SS
by Ed Gauna | CBSSports.com (3/20/2013) With the Diamondbacks trading John McDonald to the Pirates Wednesday, Arizona plans to use a combination of Cliff Pennington and Willie Bloomquist at shortstop this season.
Pennington is batting .225 through 40 Cactus League at-bats, and Willie Bloomquist, who played for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic,i s 9 for 29 (.310) in 10 spring games.
Pennington gets two-year deal
(1/22/2013) The Diamondbacks and shortstop Cliff Pennington avoided arbitration on Tuesday by agreeing to a two-year, $5 million contract. Pennington was acquired from the A's in October.
