Locastro has tested positive for COVID-19, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Locastro was present to begin spring training, but he'll now be away from the team for at least 10 days following his positive COVID-19 test result. He reportedly isn't experiencing symptoms, and the team isn't concerned about his exposure to teammates. However, it's not clear whether his absence will impact his availability for Opening Day.

Locastro enters the 2021 season without a defined role, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports. "I'm ready for whatever role is put in front of me," Locastro said. "I've come off the bench a lot. I've started a few games -- day games, travel day games. But I'm ready for whatever role."

EDGE Analysis

While the Diamondbacks faltered in 2020, Locastro had his best season, slashing .290/.395/.464 (134 wRC+) over 82 plate appearances. He'll need to maintain a similar level of production over a longer haul to be given a larger role, which could occur pending the team's plan for Ketel Marte. The Diamondbacks are mulling over a plan where Marte would bounce back and forth between center field and second base. Locastro's speed (26 steal in 332 plate appearances) makes this a situation worth monitoring.

Locastro went 3-for-3 with a walk, two RBI, two runs scored and was hit by a pitch in the second game of Friday's doubleheader against the Rockies.

EDGE Analysis

Locastro reached base five times, including the fourth time he'd been hit by a pitch in just 77 plate appearances. That's a skill he honed in 2019, when he was hit a team-high 22 times as a bench player. The 28-year-old outfielder has largely been bypassed while the Diamondbacks take a closer look at younger players like Daulton Varsho and Pavin Smith. This was just Locastro's second start in the last 11 games.

Locastro is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Mariners.

EDGE Analysis

Locastro had started four of the past five games in center field, but he'll put a five-game hitting streak on hold to cede the position to Jon Jay in the series finale. The 28-year-old should continue to see semi-regular work in the outfield while Ketel Marte (wrist) is sidelined, and he could be useful source of stolen bases down the stretch.

Locastro is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Giants.

EDGE Analysis

Locastro had started in three of the past four games, but he'll take a seat in Monday's series finale while Arizona rolls out an outfield of Daulton Varsho, Ketel Marte and Kole Calhoun. Following last week's trade that sent Starling Marte to the Marlins, only Calhoun and David Peralta -- who is serving as the team's designated hitter Monday -- are locked into regular roles in the outfield, so Locastro should have ample opportunity to pick up at-bats in September.

Locastro started in center field and went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Sunday's 4-2 loss to the Giants.

EDGE Analysis

The speedy Locastro batted leadoff and took Johnny Cueto deep on the third pitch of the game, the outfielder's first homer of the season. The extra-base hit and RBI were the first in 13 games for Locastro. He's been part of the rotation filling in for the departed Starling Marte in center field. In six games since Arizona traded Marte, Daulton Varsho has started three times, Locastro twice, and Ketel Marte once.

Locastro started in center field and went 1-for-4 in Thursday's 5-1 loss to the Dodgers.

EDGE Analysis

Arizona has played three games since trading Starling Marte, and Daulton Varsho got a start in the first two while Locastro got the nod in the third. The Diamondbacks will be looking at their young prospects over the final month of the season, but the 28-year-old Locastro doesn't fall into that category. He'll remain a fourth outfielder, while players like Varsho or Josh Rojas get more chances in the outfield.

Locastro went 1-for-3 with two walks and two runs in Friday's 7-4 win over San Francisco.

EDGE Analysis

Locastro filled in for Kole Calhoun in right field, just his fifth start in 33 games. The speedy backup outfielder, who stole 17 bases over 91 games in 2019, has just one steal in 18 appearances in 2020.

Locastro started in right field and went 0-for-3 in Saturday's 11-2 loss to the Dodgers.

EDGE Analysis

Locastro made his first start of the season, filling in for Kole Calhoun, after serving as pinch hitter, pinch runner and defensive replacement at different times throughout the campaign. For the season, he's 0-for-4 with two runs scored. If Locastro is ever able to get consistent at-bats, the speedy outfielder, who stole 17 bags in 250 plate appearances in 2019, could be a valuable source of steals.

Locastro is expected to be the runner used in the new extra-innings format this season, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

MLB is introducing a new rule for extra innings: each team will begin their half of each frame with a runner on second base. The obvious choice is a speedy player like Locastro, who led the majors in 2019 with a 30.8 ft/sec sprint speed. "Everybody knows he can fly," manager Torey Lovullo said. "It is a good feeling to have. [But] we're going to have to figure out how to drive that run in." Locastro also projects as a fourth or fifth outfielder.