Spring Training Gameday Thread, #11: 3/10 vs. Dodgers

Bonus! Unexpected TV coverage!

Diamondbacks line-up

1. David Peralta, RF
2. Carson Kelly, DH
3. Josh Rojas, SS
4. Trayce Thompson, RF
5. Stephen Vogt, C
6. Josh VanMeter, 2B
7. Daulton Varsho, CF
8. Pavin Smith, 1B
9. Andrew Young, 3B
   + RHP Seth Frankoff, RHP Humberto Castellanos, RHP Anthony Swarzak, RHP Kevin Ginkel, LHP Taylor Guilbeau, LHP Joe Mantiply

I didn’t even expect to be here today, with this game not originally scheduled to be broadcast on any of the usual sources. However, I got an email this morning, telling me that the game is going to be on the MLB Network, for fans in the Arizona area – I can’t guarantee it for anyone else, unfortunately! But it’ll be a bonus extra chance for us to see the D-backs, as they face for the first time, the reigning World Series Champions*. Let’s just hope the pitching staff does a better fist of things than they did yesterday. Though it does appear to be our B-lineup staff going up against Clayton Kershaw this evening.

What does stand out is the absence once again of Nick Ahmed from the line-up. I imagine this topic may well have come up in our manager’s pre-game media session, so let’s take a look at that, shall we?

Torey Lovullo notes

• No new injuries or positive tests.
• Nick Ahmed is still day to day. Getting one more day off today combined with the day off tomorrow. He worked out in weight room today. The trainers told Torey he is in a “good place” and Lovullo has him penciled in to start Friday. But Nick must still be cleared by the medical staff before he can confirm he’s playing Friday.
• Tim Locastro is scheduled to return on Saturday if all goes accordingly to plan – he needs a negative test presumably.
• Madison Bumgarner’s secondary stuff looked good in the B game today
• Torey’s contract: Following up questions that were directed to Derek Hall earlier today, Nick Piecoro asked him if he would approach Mike Hazen or Derek regarding a contract extension. “No, not for me, I wouldn’t feel comfortable doing that. I think I’ve been on the record before saying I want to honor my contract, and whether I had more years or not I’m going to approach my job the same way, with the same passion. Those things tend to take care of themselves. I don’t want to be a distraction. This is not a time for anything to be about me. This is about the players. I feel very strongly about that. I want this thing go the way it’s supposed to go, and do my best and be evaluated for the things I can control. And that’s being prepared and doing my job every single day.”
• Asked if he thought the ball was in their court regarding an extension: “I haven’t thought about it that far or that deep to be honest with you. My point of view is that I’m the employee. They are wonderful bosses. The people that make decisions on my career have been unbelievable leaders in the organization. When and if that time comes, obviously I love it here. Hopefully things are natural. That’s what I’ll say, but the ball is not in my court at all. This is an organization that’s trying to win baseball games in 2021 and that’s the only thing I’m focused on”
• I asked Torey. would it be fair to say Josh Rojas has pushed himself to the fore front of players likely to have a strong chance to make the roster? “The results have been wonderful… It’s really what has happened inside of the game, the pace in which he’s moving defensively, picking up the baseball. The position we’ve asked him to play, most of his innings at shortstop, is very important. I explained to you guys I’m looking to see who my backup shortstop will be. It’s not necessarily the plays he’s making, it’s HOW he’s making them. It’s not necessarily the hits he’s getting, it’s HOW he’s getting his hits, with a ton of bat speed, with surveying the strike zone. with a great path that he’s worked hard to perfect.“

Torey Lovullo audio [or link]