Lovullo Updates Moreno's Status, 5th Starter Competition
Before today's game against the Los Angeles Angels, Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo spoke to the media. Key health updates to starting players, evaluating the little things for starting pitchers, and the composition of the bullpen were the key topics discussed.
Health Updates
Theo Mackie from the Arizona Republic previously reported that catcher Gabriel Moreno was originally on track to start today, according to Torey Lovullo. Moreno is dealing with lower back tightness, with no further imaging or testing done, but should be back in the lineup tomorrow instead, against the Oakland Athletics Lovullo said today. The D-backs can ill afford to lose Moreno to any significant injury, as he's on track to start 110-120 games behind the plate this season.
Geraldo Perdomo, who's been out since March 11th with a left knee injury, is also expected to return soon. Perdomo took ground balls yesterday and is on track to return to the lineup Tuesday against the Chicago Cubs. Lovullo is not worried about his shortstop's availability for Opening Day.
Left-hander Jose Castillo was struck in the left hand by a comebacker yesterday. He has a left hand contusion with X-rays coming back negative. Missing time could be a problem for Castillo, who is competing with Kyle Nelson for a spot in the bullpen. Nelson is dealing with a groin issue but is scheduled to pitch in tomorrow's game.
5th Starter Competition
After another turn through the rotation, Ryne Nelson continues to strengthen his case to earn the fifth starter role. In his outing against the Rangers, the key development was Nelson using his secondary stuff to get back in counts. The key at-bat came in the second inning against Marcus Semien. After falling behind 2-0 with the bases loaded, he threw two sliders to even the count 2-2 then finished the at-bat by getting the Rangers second baseman to ground out to short to end the inning.
Executing his pitches in situations like that is what Lovullo is looking for when evaluating the competition.
"You guys ask me all the time what I watch inside of a game, that's the type of stuff. It was secondary stuff that got him back in the count against Semien, and then not only to get back in the count but he finished off the at-bat with one more quality pitch. A lot of times I see youthful pitchers, and it happens to veterans too, they work so hard to make a pitch to either set something up and then finalize you with that pitch. And they miss and get deeper in the count or a critical pitch in a critical moment and they don't make it. What do we do to get back in the count and how he's going to finish him off? I was really impressed with what Nelson did on that last pitch to Semien. I enjoyed watching it, it's exactly what we want to see."
That comes off the heels of a disappointing start by left-hander Tommy Henry. Henry saw a couple of big innings that started after a poor defensive play put another runner on base. The Royals put up five quick runs in the first two innings in a game where the team was going through the motions a little.
"Nothing bothers me more when an error makes something collapse on the mound or when a pitcher doesn't make a pitch and something collapses on the defensive side. I like the team to be able to say I got you, you make a pitch, I got you. I want our pitchers to step up after critical errors and say I got you. That's something we aren't seeing so much of. Games aren't going to be done perfectly. We've delivered that message to Tommy, something bad could happen, block it out and go make pitches. I'm curious to see how he throws next time, I want to see what he does in a moment of crisis. How can I take something that's perceived as a negative and make it a positive. That to me is what we train guys for, the last thing I want to do is have him look for help. We train you to be able to do it right now because you're the only one on that island."
Lovullo also noted that Henry is very good at grasping and understanding what they're trying to teach him.
Lovullo did not commit to naming a fifth starter. Earlier this week he said they will decide before they break camp on March 25th. Lovullo was also asked if some starting pitcher candidates are not in the mix for a long reliever spot, which he confirmed. He didn't specify who, as he did not have those conversations with the pitchers yet.
Bullpen
Going beyond the long reliever, Lovullo did not commit to the number of lefties in the bullpen. The D-backs play the Rockies and Yankees for the first seven days of the season, before traveling to Atlanta to start their first road trip. The Rockies and Yankees rely on their left-handed hitters to do much of the heavy lifting in their respective lineups while the Braves were noted as a lefty killer lineup.
"We're going to weigh it all in there. Every little piece matters when you're making these tough decisions."
The opponent could very well be in consideration for how their bullpen looks for a series. The bullpen on April 5th may look much different than March 28th.
