D-backs Preview #9: 4/10 vs. Reds

Living the life of Riley? Or just in the Nick of time?

Line-ups

Nine games in, and we’ve already had two pitchers make their first major-league start. Taylor Widener has performed more than credibly; indeed, by most metrics, he’s been our best starter. [Amusingly, bWAR gives the crown to Matt Peacock and his one major-league appearance, worth 0.4 wins!] Let’s see whether Smith can match up. He was excellent in long relief last year, posting a 1.47 ERA over 18.1 innings in his six appearances. But spring training was a bit harsher, Riley having a 6.43 ERA, though had a nice K:BB of 9:0 over his seven innings. He tossed five innings last Saturday, in the 0-7 loss to San Diego, relieving the man he replaced in the rotation, Caleb Smith, and being responsible for two of the runs.

Roster move

Nick Ahmed is back, having apparently recovered from the right knee inflammation which had kept him out since Opening Day. That should definitely help the Arizona defense, which has been a tad shaky so far. Arizona’s six errors is surpassed in the NL by only Pittsburgh and San Diego – the latter getting five alone from The Greatest Player in Baseball. To make room for Ahmed, Geraldo Perdomo was returned to the alternate training site. His first taste of the majors was… okay. Just the one hit in ten at-bats, but he did have more walks (3) than strikeouts (2), so that aspect of his game seemed as advertised. I’m sure he’ll be back in due course. For now, though? I’m glad to see Ahmed.

Torey Lovullo notes

• Ketel Marte’s MRI did not give them any further info about his hamstring strain. He is stepping away, and healing, no baseball activity. Asked if this were a matter of weeks rather than months, Torey answered in the affirmative.
• Monday’s starter is Madison Bumgarner. Tuesday starter is still listed as TBA. Asked if it were possible it could be Zac Gallen, Torey said that’s possible, but would not confirm or deny. It would seem quite likely, which would definitely be a shot in the arm. It’d mean Gallen only lost two starts as a result of the hairline fracture, which is considerably less time than many of us were fearing.

No audio today, due to technical difficulties. 🙂