In a corresponding move, the D’backs have activated top prospect Didi Gregoriusto replace Hill on the roster. Nick Piecoro, of Azcentral Sports, reported that manager Kirk Gibson expects Hill to miss 4-6 weeks with the injury.

Image: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Hill was originally diagnosed with a bone bruise after the hit-by-pitch, missing the next two games before pinch hitting on April 13 and starting Sunday’s game but only lasting four innings. A sore wrist was said to be the culprit for that early removal.

Gregorius was acquired in the trade that sent top pitching prospect Trevor Bauer to Cleveland. Gregorius is known for an outstanding glove at shortstop that perhaps outshines his bat.

Though, Gregorius is off to a hot start in hitting-heaven triple-A Reno. He’s hitting .387 with a .424 OBP and a .645 slugging, scoring seven times with two home runs. Gregorius has been recovering from an injury of his own, an elbow injury that prevented him from playing the field until yesterday.

It’s unclear if Didi will play everyday for the D’backs or even where he will play. The D’backs have several options: sliding Gregorius into second to replace Hill, moving Cliff Pennington to second and Gregorius will take over short, or even moving Martin Prado to second and having Eric Chavez in the everyday lineup.

Hill was hitting .306 with two home runs and getting on base at a .405 clip for the D’backs in 42 plate appearances this season.

Apr. 3, 2013; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks left fielder Jason Kubel (13) celebrates with shortstop Josh Wilson (10) after scoring on a hit by shortstop Cliff Pennington (not pictured) to beat the St. Louis Cardinals 10-9 in 16 innings at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Arizona Diamondbacks short stop Cliff Pennington was one of the key players in their marathon win against the St.Louis Cardinals on Wednesday night. This is a very different Diamondbacks club from last season, and you can see it by how they played in this game.

Arizona never gave up they always believed they had a chance in winning this game. Pennington coming into this game was hitless in his first eight at-bats on the season, but he got a base hit in each of his final three at-bats including the eventual walk-off single.

The Diamondbacks won this game in 16 innings with the help of different players from their line up and bench as well. The two teams used every player available except reliever Heath Bell for Arizona and backup catcher Tony Cruz for the Cardinals. Martin Prado hit a key sacrifice fly that knotted the game at nine in the bottom of the 12^th inning. They even had their pitcher from opening day Ian Kennedy drop down a bunt to put Jason Kubel into scoring position to score the winning run.

This win for Arizona required a total team effort, and would not have been possible without the tremendous work done by relief pitcher Josh Collmenter. Collmenter threw 74 pitches in five innings of outstanding work for Arizona, and keep in mind that he threw 24 pitches in 1.2 innings on Tuesday. Collmenter deserves to at least have the series with Brewers off with his performance in this game.

This was the longest game in the history of Chase Field at five hours and 32 minutes, and this is the type of game where Arizona can build on it for the rest of their season.

Sep 20, 2012; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs second baseman Darwin Barney (15) is forced out by Cincinnati Reds shortstop Didi Gregorius during the ninth inning at Wrigley Field. The Reds won 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

Gregorius was examined by the D’backs team physician, Dr. Michael Lee, who suggested that he limit all activity for four weeks after feeling pain during a January throwing session. According to the Bickley and MJ show on Xtra Sports 910 in Phoenix, the problem is with the ulnar collateral ligament in Gregorius’ throwing elbow and while surgery will not be ordered on the elbow now, that it may be an option if it doesn’t heal in the future.

GM Kevin Towers feels that this will only be a temporary delay for the Dutch product and expects him to begin playing games towards the end of Spring Training if all goes well with a throwing program that will be implemented during the beginning of Spring Training.

Veterans Willie Bloomquist and Cliff Pennington will attempt to take advantage of Gregorius’ absence as they will split most of the time at shortstop during the time that the slick fielding shortstop will be sidelined.