Ahmed left Saturday's spring training game after getting hit on his left hit by a pitch, MLB.com reports. The injury sounds minor as he was able to walk to first base, but any setback could cause him to miss regular season games at this point.

Ahmed will open the year as the Diamondbacks' starting shortstop, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports. A second-round pick by the Braves in 2011, Ahmed took a significant step forward at the plate at Triple-A Reno last season, batting .312/.373/.435 with a 37:55 K:BB in 104 games (452 PA). Manager Chip Hale has decided to go with youth up the middle of the infield, slotting Chris Owings in at second base opposite Ahmed, with Aaron Hill coming off the bench. Ahmed has little power to speak of but can run. It's entirely possible Ahmed could approach 20 steals even in a bottom-third spot in the order, if he holds onto the job all year.

Ahmed went 2-for-4 with a run scored, two RBI, and a stolen base Thursday against the White Sox. Ahmed is now hitting .328/.350/.241 for the spring and is in the mix as the possible starter at shortstop. He has outpaced teammate Chris Owings, who is recovering from off-season shoulder surgery, so far this spring. Ahmed is known as more of a glove-first player, but would bring speed to the table if he can hit enough to get on base. The final decision about who starts at shortstop is down to the wire with Arizona's opener coming up on Monday.

Ahmed seems to be the clear front runner for the D-backs' starting shortstop opening, but manager Chip Hale has not declared a starter, according to the Arizona Republic. That stance is a stark contrast to a report by Peter Gammons. His success at the plate during spring training (.324 batting average with three doubles) might actually displace Chris Owings from the starting role, at least to begin the season since Owings is returning from shoulder surgery. There will always be some concern over Ahmed's bat, but he could be in a position to provide some speed for deeper leagues if he secures a starting role. It's also possible that Ahmed will see an increased role until Owings is completely healthy, at which point Ahmed could become a glove-first utility option.

Ahmed is in the mix for a utility role with the Diamondbacks this spring. Whether or not he breaks camp on the Opening Day roster may hinge on factors out of Ahmed's control, including the health of Chris Owings (shoulder) among others. Ahmed's glove makes him an appealing utility option for big league clubs, but there are questions regarding his ability to hit big league pitching consistency. If he were to find regular playing time, Ahmed could prove to be a useful source of double-digit steals for owners in deeper formats.

Ahmed was recalled from Triple-A Reno on Monday, SB Nation reports. The 24-year-old shortstop hit .312 with 26 doubles and four home runs in 104 games at Reno, and should play occasionally down the stretch for Arizona.

Ahmed was optioned to Triple-A Reno on Friday. Cliff Pennington return's earlier in the week put Ahmed on the roster bubble, and it seems the club has decided he's better off playing regularly at Reno for now. While Ahmed hit just .228/.254/.316 in 19 games with the big club, he's hit .324/.390/.431 with Reno and should be back up when rosters expand.

Ahmed went 0-for-1 with two walks, but was hit by a potential double-play ball that allowed the winning run to score in the 10th inning of the Diamondbacks' 3-2 win over the Pirates on Sunday.

Nick Ahmed singled in Martin Prado in the top of the 15th to lead the Diamondbacks past the Reds 2-1 on Monday. It was Ahmed's second single in six at-bats. He's hitting just .229 with no walks and no homers in 48 at-bats since his callup, but he's flashed plenty of leather at shortstop. He's a potential regular at the position despite his lack of any real offensive upside.

Nick Ahmed went 2-for-4 with two runs scored in Sunday's loss to the Giants. Ahmed has struggled at the dish since his promotion, as he had four hits in 22 at-bats coming into the game. The runs scored were his first in his career. The 24-year-old may have a future in the big leagues, but he'll likely be returned to Triple-A Reno when Chris Owings returns from injury.