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The Diamondbacks' spring training clubhouse was abuzz Wednesday, March 18, with the infusion of several players back at Salt River Fields from the World Baseball Classic.
Second baseman Ketel Marte, shortstop Geraldo Perdomo and first baseman Carlos Santana were back from their time in Miami with the Dominican Republic team. Third baseman Nolan Arenado was back in camp after playing for Puerto Rico.
Perdomo, Santana and Arenado were in the lineup against the Chicago Cubs, with Marte expected to return to game action on Friday night, March 20.
“It was amazing, truly amazing,” said Arenado, who previously played for the U.S. in the WBC.
“The team, the people, very kind. They welcomed me with open arms and I just had a great time. It was awesome."
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo was happy with the additions.
“We went from four infielders in one day to eight infielders,” Lovullo said. “It’s great to have the group back, and really hone in on some of the things that are going to be important to us, some of the values and standards that we feel are very important, and get to those as soon as possible.”
Only left-handed pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez remains away from the club, as he celebrated Team Venezuela’s 3-2 win Tuesday night in the WBC final over the United States. Rodriguez was expected to resume spring training work at Salt River Fields on Thursday.
Lovullo said he was thrilled for Rodriguez, Diamondbacks coach Rolando Valles, who was on Venezuela’s staff, and former Diamondbacks third baseman Eugenio Suarez, who drove in what turned out to be the decisive run. Lovullo reached out via text to congratulate all of them.
Venezuela’s coaches followed the Diamondbacks’ plan for Rodriguez, which was to throw between 50 to 60 pitches and at least four innings. Rodriguez shut out Team USA on one hit in 4 1/3 innings in his start in the championship game.
The infield of Arenado, Perdomo, Marte and Santana will get Thursday off, play back-to-back games on Friday and Saturday, get Sunday off and play the two exhibition games at Chase Field on Monday, March 23, and Tuesday, March 24, Lovullo said.
“I feel that will be plenty of time," Lovullo said. “They’re all exceptional athletes and they know what it’s going to take to play cohesive baseball.”
Marte could do some work in a minor league game on Thursday. He said he feels in sync with his middle infield partner, Perdomo.
Marte was asked about the called third strike call on Perdomo to end the semifinal game against the U.S.
“We’re human, these things happen,” Marte said in Spanish, implying that the pitch to Perdomo was not a strike.
“I feel good. My body’s good, my timing is down,” Marte said. “I hope to be healthy the whole year.”
—José M. Romero
With two starting pitchers having returned to camp from the World Baseball Classic, the Diamondbacks are close to finalizing the order of their starting rotation, Lovullo said.
“Kap and I just talked about the rotation,” Lovullo said, referring to pitching coach Brian Kaplan. “So let us finalize conversations and we’ll probably announce that really soon.”
That likely translation: The coaching staff has yet to inform the players. Once that happens, Lovullo will tell reporters.
The question is not one of personnel but of how they will be lined up after Opening Day starter Zac Gallen.
With Merrill Kelly expected to open on the injured list, that would leave Brandon Pfaadt, Ryne Nelson, Eduardo Rodriguez and Michael Soroka as the remaining four. They could line up in that order, based on their recent outings.
As for his plans for the closer’s role, Lovullo said that might be something that won’t become public until it actually plays out in a game.
That said, he again spoke highly of how Paul Sewald has looked this spring, another indication he could be leaning toward going with the club’s former closer in that role again.
“We still have a lot of positions that are open,” Lovullo said. “We haven’t had conversations with guys about who is making the team. We’ve got probably four or five decisions to make.”
The club has at least two or three decisions in the bullpen and perhaps as many as two or three bench spots.
Assuming five pitchers are pretty well assured of jobs — Sewald, Ryan Thompson, Kevin Ginkel, Taylor Clarke and Jonathan Loaisiga — the Diamondbacks have three spots to divide among six pitchers.
Those six: right-handers Joe Ross, Kade Strowd, Andrew Hoffmann and Juan Morillo and lefties Philip Abner and Brandyn Garcia.
As for the bench spots, outfielder Jorge Barrosa and infielders Ildemaro Vargas, Jacob Amaya and Tim Tawa are competing for what appears to be three spots.
Vargas and Amaya are each on minor league deals and would need to be added to the 40-man roster. Barrosa, meanwhile, is out of options, meaning he would need to clear waivers to be sent to the minor leagues.
—Nick Piecoro
Catcher Gabriel Moreno said he played catch on Wednesday, March 18, and felt no discomfort in his forearm. He remains on track to be ready for Opening Day.
Lovullo said Moreno likely will continue his throwing program with the goal of getting back behind the plate for one of the exhibition games against the Cleveland Guardians at Chase Field next week.
Carroll has yet to play in the outfield in a Cactus League game but could see action there in the backfields, Lovullo said.
Carroll might not play outfield in an official big-league game until the Guardians series.
—Nick Piecoro
(This story will be updated. Check back soon.)
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Plan in place for Diamondbacks' WBC infielders, decision on closer TBD
Continue reading...
Second baseman Ketel Marte, shortstop Geraldo Perdomo and first baseman Carlos Santana were back from their time in Miami with the Dominican Republic team. Third baseman Nolan Arenado was back in camp after playing for Puerto Rico.
Perdomo, Santana and Arenado were in the lineup against the Chicago Cubs, with Marte expected to return to game action on Friday night, March 20.
“It was amazing, truly amazing,” said Arenado, who previously played for the U.S. in the WBC.
“The team, the people, very kind. They welcomed me with open arms and I just had a great time. It was awesome."
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo was happy with the additions.
“We went from four infielders in one day to eight infielders,” Lovullo said. “It’s great to have the group back, and really hone in on some of the things that are going to be important to us, some of the values and standards that we feel are very important, and get to those as soon as possible.”
Only left-handed pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez remains away from the club, as he celebrated Team Venezuela’s 3-2 win Tuesday night in the WBC final over the United States. Rodriguez was expected to resume spring training work at Salt River Fields on Thursday.
Lovullo said he was thrilled for Rodriguez, Diamondbacks coach Rolando Valles, who was on Venezuela’s staff, and former Diamondbacks third baseman Eugenio Suarez, who drove in what turned out to be the decisive run. Lovullo reached out via text to congratulate all of them.
Venezuela’s coaches followed the Diamondbacks’ plan for Rodriguez, which was to throw between 50 to 60 pitches and at least four innings. Rodriguez shut out Team USA on one hit in 4 1/3 innings in his start in the championship game.
The infield of Arenado, Perdomo, Marte and Santana will get Thursday off, play back-to-back games on Friday and Saturday, get Sunday off and play the two exhibition games at Chase Field on Monday, March 23, and Tuesday, March 24, Lovullo said.
“I feel that will be plenty of time," Lovullo said. “They’re all exceptional athletes and they know what it’s going to take to play cohesive baseball.”
Marte could do some work in a minor league game on Thursday. He said he feels in sync with his middle infield partner, Perdomo.
Marte was asked about the called third strike call on Perdomo to end the semifinal game against the U.S.
“We’re human, these things happen,” Marte said in Spanish, implying that the pitch to Perdomo was not a strike.
“I feel good. My body’s good, my timing is down,” Marte said. “I hope to be healthy the whole year.”
—José M. Romero
Rotation news coming; closer role wait-and-see
With two starting pitchers having returned to camp from the World Baseball Classic, the Diamondbacks are close to finalizing the order of their starting rotation, Lovullo said.
“Kap and I just talked about the rotation,” Lovullo said, referring to pitching coach Brian Kaplan. “So let us finalize conversations and we’ll probably announce that really soon.”
That likely translation: The coaching staff has yet to inform the players. Once that happens, Lovullo will tell reporters.
The question is not one of personnel but of how they will be lined up after Opening Day starter Zac Gallen.
With Merrill Kelly expected to open on the injured list, that would leave Brandon Pfaadt, Ryne Nelson, Eduardo Rodriguez and Michael Soroka as the remaining four. They could line up in that order, based on their recent outings.
As for his plans for the closer’s role, Lovullo said that might be something that won’t become public until it actually plays out in a game.
That said, he again spoke highly of how Paul Sewald has looked this spring, another indication he could be leaning toward going with the club’s former closer in that role again.
“We still have a lot of positions that are open,” Lovullo said. “We haven’t had conversations with guys about who is making the team. We’ve got probably four or five decisions to make.”
The club has at least two or three decisions in the bullpen and perhaps as many as two or three bench spots.
Assuming five pitchers are pretty well assured of jobs — Sewald, Ryan Thompson, Kevin Ginkel, Taylor Clarke and Jonathan Loaisiga — the Diamondbacks have three spots to divide among six pitchers.
Those six: right-handers Joe Ross, Kade Strowd, Andrew Hoffmann and Juan Morillo and lefties Philip Abner and Brandyn Garcia.
As for the bench spots, outfielder Jorge Barrosa and infielders Ildemaro Vargas, Jacob Amaya and Tim Tawa are competing for what appears to be three spots.
Vargas and Amaya are each on minor league deals and would need to be added to the 40-man roster. Barrosa, meanwhile, is out of options, meaning he would need to clear waivers to be sent to the minor leagues.
—Nick Piecoro
Health updates on Gabriel Moreno, Corbin Carroll
Catcher Gabriel Moreno said he played catch on Wednesday, March 18, and felt no discomfort in his forearm. He remains on track to be ready for Opening Day.
Lovullo said Moreno likely will continue his throwing program with the goal of getting back behind the plate for one of the exhibition games against the Cleveland Guardians at Chase Field next week.
Carroll has yet to play in the outfield in a Cactus League game but could see action there in the backfields, Lovullo said.
Carroll might not play outfield in an official big-league game until the Guardians series.
—Nick Piecoro
(This story will be updated. Check back soon.)
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Plan in place for Diamondbacks' WBC infielders, decision on closer TBD
Continue reading...
