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CINCINNATI — Outfielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. had two hits in four at-bats in the Arizona Complex League on Saturday, June 13, and appears to be nearing a return from the injured list — perhaps as soon as the series opener against the Los Angeles Angels at Chase Field.
“Sooner than later – he’ll be back sooner than later,” manager Torey Lovullo said. “I know he played in those (complex league) games and feels good. What the timing is with that I don’t know exactly yet.”
Gurriel had the two hits, both singles, but has gone just 4 for 16 (.250) with one double, one walk and six strikeouts in five games on his rehab assignment.
He's not exactly a hot hitter — and he would be joining a lineup filled with players struggling to get going at the plate. Lovullo was asked if Gurriel’s subpar results make bringing him off the injured list at this time harder. The Diamondbacks have scored 40 runs in their past 15 games.
“I want to be careful, but we’re sputtering a little bit and we need somebody with a presence to step into this lineup and give us a little impact,” Lovullo said. “If they say he’s ready, we’ll get him here. I don’t know what that answer is yet right now.”
Lovullo added: “I think the experience factor (is something) I like. I think the quality of the at-bat when he’s right is something that we all crave. We know that with each at-bat that he’s taking he’s going to get closer. It’s the same thing with Pavin (Smith). We got Pavin here a little bit early just because we needed that professional at-bat. It’s still a work in progress for Pavin. I think it will be for Gurriel, as well. I just want him back on this ballclub as soon as possible, as soon as he’s healthy and ready to go.”
In other injury news, Lovullo said the club and left-hander A.J. Puk are awaiting multiple opinions on the MRI he had on his left shoulder. That said, it did not sound like Puk’s issue — it is being called “left shoulder inflammation” — would be just a small speed bump.
“We’re going to keep our fingers crossed, but it’s going to be a little bit longer of a shutdown than most anticipate,” Lovullo said. “It’s not going to be a week. It’s going to be more than one week. We’ll see what happens.”
Lovullo said he will "remain hopeful" that Puk will return at some point this season.
Diamondbacks RHP Zac Gallen (3-5, 5.43) vs. Reds LHP Andrew Abbott (4-4, 4.10).
At Great American Ball Park: Gallen endured another uneven start last week in Miami, working into the sixth inning but giving up four runs in the process. … Since the start of May, he has a 7.02 ERA across eight starts. … In six career starts against the Reds, Gallen has a 3.16 ERA over 37 innings. He faced them twice last year, giving up five runs in 12⅔ innings. … Abbott enjoyed a breakout season last year, logging a 2.87 ERA, making the All-Star team and receiving down-ballot Cy Young consideration. After posting a 6.59 ERA in his first six starts this season, he has logged a 2.54 ERA over his past eight. … He has allowed exactly three runs in exactly six innings in each of his past three outings. … The Diamondbacks handled him well last season, scoring seven runs (six earned) against him in four innings.
Monday, June 15: At Chase Field, 6:40 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Ryne Nelson (2-5, 5.19) vs. Angels RHP Walbert Urena (4-4, 2.44).
Tuesday, June 16: At Chase Field, 6:40 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Merrill Kelly (5-5, 5.46) vs. Angels LHP Reid Detmers (2-5, 4.00).
Wednesday, June 17: At Chase Field, 12:40 p.m., Diamondbacks LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (5-2, 2.55) vs. Angels LHP Sam Aldegheri (2-1, 2.12).
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Diamondbacks-Reds updates. Veteran hitter nears return
Continue reading...
“Sooner than later – he’ll be back sooner than later,” manager Torey Lovullo said. “I know he played in those (complex league) games and feels good. What the timing is with that I don’t know exactly yet.”
Gurriel had the two hits, both singles, but has gone just 4 for 16 (.250) with one double, one walk and six strikeouts in five games on his rehab assignment.
He's not exactly a hot hitter — and he would be joining a lineup filled with players struggling to get going at the plate. Lovullo was asked if Gurriel’s subpar results make bringing him off the injured list at this time harder. The Diamondbacks have scored 40 runs in their past 15 games.
“I want to be careful, but we’re sputtering a little bit and we need somebody with a presence to step into this lineup and give us a little impact,” Lovullo said. “If they say he’s ready, we’ll get him here. I don’t know what that answer is yet right now.”
Lovullo added: “I think the experience factor (is something) I like. I think the quality of the at-bat when he’s right is something that we all crave. We know that with each at-bat that he’s taking he’s going to get closer. It’s the same thing with Pavin (Smith). We got Pavin here a little bit early just because we needed that professional at-bat. It’s still a work in progress for Pavin. I think it will be for Gurriel, as well. I just want him back on this ballclub as soon as possible, as soon as he’s healthy and ready to go.”
In other injury news, Lovullo said the club and left-hander A.J. Puk are awaiting multiple opinions on the MRI he had on his left shoulder. That said, it did not sound like Puk’s issue — it is being called “left shoulder inflammation” — would be just a small speed bump.
“We’re going to keep our fingers crossed, but it’s going to be a little bit longer of a shutdown than most anticipate,” Lovullo said. “It’s not going to be a week. It’s going to be more than one week. We’ll see what happens.”
Lovullo said he will "remain hopeful" that Puk will return at some point this season.
Diamondbacks at Reds, 10:40 a.m., Cox, Ch. 34
Diamondbacks RHP Zac Gallen (3-5, 5.43) vs. Reds LHP Andrew Abbott (4-4, 4.10).
At Great American Ball Park: Gallen endured another uneven start last week in Miami, working into the sixth inning but giving up four runs in the process. … Since the start of May, he has a 7.02 ERA across eight starts. … In six career starts against the Reds, Gallen has a 3.16 ERA over 37 innings. He faced them twice last year, giving up five runs in 12⅔ innings. … Abbott enjoyed a breakout season last year, logging a 2.87 ERA, making the All-Star team and receiving down-ballot Cy Young consideration. After posting a 6.59 ERA in his first six starts this season, he has logged a 2.54 ERA over his past eight. … He has allowed exactly three runs in exactly six innings in each of his past three outings. … The Diamondbacks handled him well last season, scoring seven runs (six earned) against him in four innings.
Coming up
Monday, June 15: At Chase Field, 6:40 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Ryne Nelson (2-5, 5.19) vs. Angels RHP Walbert Urena (4-4, 2.44).
Tuesday, June 16: At Chase Field, 6:40 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Merrill Kelly (5-5, 5.46) vs. Angels LHP Reid Detmers (2-5, 4.00).
Wednesday, June 17: At Chase Field, 12:40 p.m., Diamondbacks LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (5-2, 2.55) vs. Angels LHP Sam Aldegheri (2-1, 2.12).
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Diamondbacks-Reds updates. Veteran hitter nears return
Continue reading...
