Zach Davies and the Diamondbacks to Face Angels in Tempe

Note: this story has been updated below with regards to Carroll's status

The Diamondbacks take on the Angels today in Tempe, game time 1:10 P.M. The game is broadcast on Bally Sports Arizona. Zach Davies will be making his second official Cactus League start. The right hander threw two scoreless innings in his previous outing, allowing one hit, walking two, and striking out three.

Davies made 27 starts for the Diamondbacks last year, going 2-5 with a 4.09 ERA in 134.1 innings pitched. His seven decisions were the fewest of any pitcher with at least 23 games started since the start of the modern era in 1900. After declining his end of a mutual option, Davies resigned with the team late in the off season.

Davies will be opposed by left hander José Suarez, who went 8-8 with a 3.96 ERA for the Angels last year

Diamondbacks Lineup

Today's #Dbacks lineup at the Angels:

Ahmed | SS
Kelly | C
McCarthy | CF
Walker | 1B
Longoria | 3B
Smith | DH
Castillo | LF
Muñoz | 2B
Canzone | RF
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Davies | P pic.twitter.com/OUtH1F8AVb
— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) March 11, 2023

Corbin Carroll is out of the lineup for the second straight day. Yesterday's lineup originally included him, but Torey Lovullo made a decision to make a change. Here is the brief transcript from last night's post game press conference:

"I made the decision to take him out, that's all I can say to you guys. He's healthy. He's a healthy scratch."

Q: Was He late ?

"It was a late day today, but he was on time. He's not in trouble, he wasn't late. I just decided to do something different."

UPDATE:

As reported by Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic, the Diamondbacks and Carroll may be close to reaching an extension, and there is a plausible explanation for his lineup absence:

"Carroll was mysteriously scratched from the lineup on Friday night, which could have happened because the sides are close enough to an agreement that Carroll is going through the sort of standard physical exam that accompanies all major contracts."

Madison Bumgarner threw in a B game at Salt River Fields against the Chicago Cubs. Bumgarner pitched 3.2 scoreless innings, allowing four hits and striking out six.

On Field One at Salt River on Friday, Bumgarner threw 56 pitches and effective with secondary stuff. Among visitors, Brett Strom and Torey Lovullo. Bumgarner used a transmitter on the outside of his glove to communicate his pitches to catcher Carson Kelly
— Mark Brown (@journalist193) March 10, 2023

Jake McCarthy has had a slow start to spring. He's batting 4-24, .167, without an extra base hit. He does have three walks and a stolen base. He's in the lineup against a lefty for the second straight game, playing centerfield.

Pavin Smith is back in the lineup at DH for the first time since suffering a back strain last week.

Diego Castillo is in left field today. When the D-backs signed him it was though he would play primarily utility infield, but clearly the team is preparing him for potential outfield reps as well. They are still left handed heavy in the outfield and if anything were to happen to Lourdes Gurriel Jr. they would be back in the same boat they were in prior to the Daulton Varsho trade without any right handed outfield options. Notably Kyle Lewis has only been able to DH so far in spring training, and that after a late start in games.

Merrill Kelly, (USA) Ketel Marte (DR), Alek Thomas (MEX) and Emmanuel Rivera (PR) Rivera are all playing in the WBC. The Angels will be playing without Mike Trout (USA) or Shohei Ohtani, (JP) who are also playing in the tournament.