Updates from D-backs Manager Torey Lovullo
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo gave the following updates to the media this afternoon.
Merrill Kelly (Blood Clot) threw an extended bullpen session with three up-downs and 45 pitches yesterday. He will have an ultrasound later today. Merrill says he feels great. They believe similar to the Ian Kennedy situation last year, by catching it on time he will come out the other side quickly. They still have not determined exactly when after the All Star break he will start.
Lovullo had previously indicated that he did not expect Kelly to start in the Toronto series July 14-16. His opinion as of right now is still that it should not be that soon. At the very least he’ll want to see Kelly pitch with more intensity, perhaps in a live BP or simulated game situation presumably, before he’s cleared to return.
Drey Jameson might be used in shorter stints that may lead to more high leverage situations. He hasn't been getting much work lately as a "long man" because the starters have been getting deeper into games. So in order to get him into more games, that will result in him being shortened up even further, and that could lead to higher leverage outings. In past interviews with the young right-hander, Jameson has made clear that his preference is to be a high leverage relief option, but he's committed to doing whatever the team needs him to do to win games.
Zac Gallen is listed as the starter for Friday’s game against the Pirates. Lovullo did not indicate whether they will use pitchers currently on the roster for Saturday's game or bring someone up from Reno. Reading the tea leaves, If they do not call anyone up, that likely indicates a bullpen game. If they do call someone up from Reno, one possibility is right-hander Slade Cecconi, who lines up for Saturday. He is not on the 40-man roster however, so that would require someone be removed from the roster to make room.
Ketel Marte is back in the lineup today for the series finale against the Mets. He missed the first two games of the series after experiencing lower back tightness. This is a recurring situation that requires ongoing maintenance and periodic rest to keep the injury from getting worse.
