- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,190,469
- Reaction score
- 59
Kepler has new outlook on game after return
ST. PETERSBURG, FL — Diamondbacks outfielder Max Kepler was set to make his second straight start in left field on Saturday, June 27, a day after playing in his first major league regular-season game since last Sept. 28.
Kepler completed his 80-game suspension for testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug and was activated by the Diamondbacks on June 25. He was in Friday's lineup against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field.
He said playing again made him grateful to still be in baseball, and that being away from the game was humbling for him.
"I never had been out of it for the last 15, 16 years, so to have been out of that for a brief moment just kind of made me realize how difficult it is to get back into it," Kepler said. "So yeah, back with a deeper appreciation and understanding that this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."
Kepler said he hopes to play the game with that kind of appreciation in his mind.
"I'm not going to be as hard on myself as I was in past," he said. "Where I might have taken some things for granted because you're just in a constant flow of playing, I feel refreshed. But at the same time, also, I need to make up for the time I lost. So it's like a fine line that I'm trying to balance here."
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said he wanted to get Kepler in the big leagues as soon as possible and told Kepler he would get a lot of at-bats against right-handed pitching.
"I believe in getting guys here, getting their spikes dirty and getting back into a rhythm as quick as possible," Lovullo said. "He's been away from the game for a long time, and it was his opportunity to get in there and show us what he's capable of doing."
Diamondbacks at Rays, 3:10 p.m., Cox, Ch. 34
Diamondbacks RHP Jose Cabrera (0-0, 0.00) vs. Rays RHP Cole Sulser (1-0, 5.40)
At Tropicana Field: Cabrera made his major league debut on Sunday, June 21, against the Twins, giving up three hits in five-plus scoreless innings. … He averaged 94.6 mph with his four-seam fastball, topping out at 96.8 mph, while mixing in five other pitch types. … Cabrera had a 3.69 ERA in 12 starts in Double-A and Triple-A before his promotion. … The Rays pushed RHP Drew Rasmussen back a day but did not immediately name a starter for this game, saying they intend to go with a bullpen game on June 27. … Part of their thinking was to give extra rest to LHP Shane McClanahan, who had been scheduled for Sunday, June 28. … Tampa Bay will go with Sulser, who uses predominantly a four-seam fastball and change-up. Sulser has two saves and 28 appearances this season .
Coming up
Sunday, June 28: At Tampa, 10:40 a.m., Diamondbacks RHP Merrill Kelly (5-7, 5.71) vs. Rays RHP Drew Rasmussen (6-4, 2.62).
Monday, June 29: At Chase Field, 6:40 p.m., Diamondbacks LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (6-2, 2.27) vs. Giants RHP Tyler Mahle (1-7, 5.49).
Tuesday, June 30: At Chase Field, 6:40 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Brandon Pfaadt (0-1, 5.92) vs. Giants RHP Landen Roupp (5-7, 4.07).
(This story will be updated. Check back soon.)
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Diamondbacks-Rays live updates. Kepler 'refreshed' to be playing again
Continue reading...
