D-backs Spring Training Notes: February 27
The Diamondbacks face off against their former World Series opponent Texas Rangers today. Manager Torey Lovullo provided updates on several players and talked about what it was like to face off against the team that ultimately beat the D-backs in the Fall Classic last season.
Lovullo discussed injury updates to Alek Thomas and a curious removal of Joc Pederson from the lineup. An update on these players, from Inside the Diamondbacks' Jack Sommers can be found here.
Facing the Rangers
The D-backs will face off against the team that defeated them 4-1 in the biggest series of the year. Despite it being a simple Spring Training game at Salt River Fields, Lovullo acknowledged that there might be something different about this matchup.
"I had Blaze Alexander come up to me when I was watching him take BP, and he was like ‘It’s a World Series rematch man, you ready to go?’ And I felt that, when he said that, I hadn’t really thought much about it, but the last time we were on the same field they beat us to advance," Lovullo said.
For Lovullo, as with any player--or fan--that experienced it, the World Series fallout was a tough once to overcome.
"I remember doing interviews postgame and it hurt, it hurt me a lot. One in particular, I was talking to [Tom] Verducci, and I was down under the tunnel, and it was right when they were presenting the trophy," said Lovullo, "that rattled me a little bit, I had to stop in the middle of that interview and compose myself, so those are the feelings I had,"
But the skipper did note his interest in getting a feel for the experience of playing the team that ultimately played spoiler to Arizona's magical postseason run. Without any real stakes, the manager looks to gauge the experience on the field.
"I want to see what it’s going to feel like when I go back out there right now, but it’s another baseball game, of course, but sometimes there’s an added twist."
SS Jordan Lawlar
Young prospect Jordan Lawlar is a name at the forefront of this Spring's evaluation period. Entrenched in a camp battle for the backup shortstop role, Lawlar is coming off a game in which is destroyed a ball for a solo home run against the Oakland A's
Lovullo said that Lawlar was taking some ground balls at second base today, but the young infielder's position will likely be rigidly set at the shortstop slot.
"We primarily want to focus on shortstop for him through the course of camp, but he might get an inning or two at [second base], he’s just such a good athlete, that we feel like he’s going to be able to handle it. For the most part, he’s going to get most of his reps at shortstop, just about every single game rep at shortstop."
Lovullo likened the situation to a starting pitcher, might debut in a relief role, or start his career in a position that he might not be entirely familiar with. He gave his message to a young player in Lawlar's situation, but praised the shortstop's work ethic and dedication to play in the bigs this year.
"It’s what I tell starting pitchers, you tell starting pitchers when you sit them down, 'I can't promise you your first outing is what you normally do to get a start, it might be out of the bullpen.'"
"Just be versatile, understand that there’s different habits you might have to pick up, pay attention, ask questions. In Jordan’s case, I know he’ll do anything to play in the big leagues, so if it means getting here if someone were to get banged up or injured, and we’ve got to maneuver the infield a little bit, I know he’d be up for that,” Lovullo said.
Long Reliever
One of the more "forgotten" spots on the D-backs' roster is the long man. With right-hander Drey Jameson rehabbing Tommy John surgery, and set to make a return to the starting rotation in 2025, the D-backs will need to decide if they want to utilize a clean-up reliever with some length.
Lovullo said that the role is on the list of priorities to fill.
"Early on in the season... it’s not the top priority, but it’s a priority that we think about, because we don't want to have our guys overexerting themselves too quickly, too early."
Names in the hat include young right-handers like Ryne Nelson, Bryce Jarvis or possibly even Slade Cecconi. Lovullo would not present any names, but did say the D-backs would make sure their long man is one who is suited to the job.
"Initially, somebody that’s a little stretched out beyond two innings, give us multiple. And that's a real thing, if we choose to go that course, were going make sure its the right candidate," said Lovullo, "somebody that can hold it down without blowing up a bullpen in a game where that starter gets banged around early.
The D-backs face off against the Rangers at Salt River Fields today, but will face the Cleveland Guardians tomorrow.
