Spring Training Gameday Thread, #14: 3/14 vs. Giants

Still no Nick Ahmed… #AhmedWatch2021

Diamondbacks line-up

1. David Peralta, LF
2. Asdrubal Cabrera, 2B
3. Eduardo Escobar, 3B
4. Carson Kelly, DH
5. Trayce Thompson, CF
6. Daulton Varsho, C
7. Wyatt Mathisen, 1B
8. Pavin Smith, RF
9. Domingo Leyba, SS
   + LHP Caleb Smith, LHP Alex Young, RHP Chris Devenski, LHP Taylor Guilbeau

Looks like a double-headed starter today, between Smith and Young. Though we are going against a divisional opponent, and their presence may suggest they’re not likely to be in the Opening Day rotation? Maybe I’m reading too much into that. If the pitching above is to be believed, think we’ll be looking for them to go seven innings, then see Devenski and Guilbeau over the final two frames. This is, of course, presuming the game today is going the full nine innings; that seems increasingly to be the case, which makes sense as we are now a full two weeks into Cactus League play. I think it’s perhaps almost time for the inning mercy rule also to be retired, and I won’t mind seeing the back of that, to be honest.

Roster moves

And then there were 51. For the Diamondbacks made three more roster moves this morning, including yesterday’s starter, who is thanked for his service, and sent to eat at the little kids’ table. No great surprises otherwise though, with the pitching herd being slightly thinned.

Optioned to Triple-A Reno:

• RHP Matt Peacock

Reassigned to Minor League camp:

• RHP Josh Green
• LHP Sam Moll

Torey Lovullo notes

• No testing or injury updates. Good to see Tim Locastro back, and we’ll get him back in there tomorrow.
• Yesterday’s game. On the Tatis baserunning play, defensively, the team didn’t execute. We’ve “got to learn lessons from that and make sure it doesn’t happen again.” Wanted to see what J.B. Bukauskas looked like yesterday against starting hitters, and challenge him. Kevin Ginkel “not pristine” but kept the inning in check. There’s room for improvement, but he has made pitches when he needed to.
• Widener starting over Weaver tomorrow. There’ll be a sim game played and Weaver will get his innings in. “It’s been tough. We have 14 guys we’re trying to stretch out.”
• “A really good vibe” on the team, with the players having a lot of fun.

This game is radio only, I believe, so tune in on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM to hear it. I may be napping for a bit. It is Sunday, after all… 🙂