The Dodgers acquired Thomas in a trade with the Diamondbacks. The speedy outfielder started his tenure with the organization in the minors to provide center field depth for the Dodgers.

Then, the 26-year-old’s opportunity came.

Andy Pages sustained a fracture in his left hand during the series opener against the Pirates on Friday. The Dodgers called up Thomas from Triple-A Oklahoma City to replace Pages on the roster.

Thomas has recorded a hit and an RBI in each of the three games he’s played for the Dodgers thus far. He gives the Dodgers another left-handed bat and pinch-run option, especially while Pages is away.

Thomas was a second-round pick by Arizona in the 2018 MLB Draft. The outfielder hit .230 with 31 homers and a .634 OPS in parts of five seasons with the Diamondbacks.

Though Arizona parted ways with Thomas, the departure was difficult for the outfielder and the organization.

“It’s part of the game, and I think Alek understands that, but it’s hard to say goodbye to him and his wife, Kailey,” Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said in May. “They’re great people. We’ve known them. We’ve watched them grow up. We watch them get engaged and get married, and when you have to say goodbye to them that’s painful. So, I told him it hurt as much for me as it did, probably, for him.”