Snake Bytes 2/26: Heating Up

Arizona Diamondbacks News

[D’backs.com] Kelly catches Greinke for first time vs. A’s - Velocity Gate 2K19 is in full swing for Zack Greinke. As we should know from seasons past. Grienke is now halfway through his contract with the Diamondbacks, his velocity is less of a concern than it would be with other starters because of his pitch mix and pinpoint command. The more pressing issue with him this Spring will be which of the three catchers who make the 25 man roster (bashes head against the wall) will catch him during the regular season. Newcomer Carson Kelly received the start behind the plate yesterday.

“I think the one thing that Zack wants is for it to be the same guy,” Lovullo said. “That’s what he asks for from the first conversation that I had with him two years ago, and I don’t think that’s changed. We want to make Zack as comfortable as possible and try to find that perfect fit for him.”

[Arizona Sports] Zack Greinke debuts in spring, open to D-backs catcher options -

“I don’t know if I’m even throwing to the same catcher this year. I might be throwing to a different catcher every outing,” [Greinke] said. “I prefer one guy but … there comes a point where offense is important. I think with our catchers being around long enough they’ll be able to adjust better … just I think it’ll work out better than it would sometimes in the past with me.”

[The Athletic] Steven Souza Jr. finally feeling normal, but don’t expect any more spring-training dives - One foot on the ground at all times, sir. Any additional injuries in the outfield could be particularly devastating to Mike Hazen’s stated goal of competing this season. Steven Souza Jr. reveals that his pectoral injury did not feel fully healed until January.

“Honestly, I sat and I prayed for a while and thought, ‘I don’t know if I’m ever going to be the same again,’” [Souza] said. “It was a little disheartening.”

[AZ Central] Top prospect Jon Duplantier looks good as Diamondbacks walk off A’s - Jon Duplantier also made a two inning appearance striking out two and walking one. MLB Gameday had him topping out around 97 MPH which is an encouraging sign considering his history of arm injuries.

[Arizona Sports] D-backs CF Jarrod Dyson will receive MRI for discomfort in midsection - On the subject of being cognizant of prior injuries, Jarrod Dyson appears to be ailed by yet another core injury. He was coming off of sports hernia surgery when Arizona signed him in the winter of 2017 and missed time at the end of last season as well. It’s unfortunate that he has to pay this price for such elite speed.

“At this point, much like Matt Koch, we’re not going to force anybody to do anything. We want to take care of these guys right now. We pulled (Dyson) back, we’re going to slow him down.”

[D’backs.com] Marte adjusting to new position in CF - Ketel Marte received his anticipated start in center field. Dave McKay has been working with Marte extensively in the outfield in anticipation of the move from second base. It had been reported just this weekend that Lovullo was going to give it a week before Marte saw game action in center, but apparently McKay was able to convince the skipper that Marte was ready.

“It’s kind of different,” said Marte, who has played a total of 14 innings in the outfield in the big leagues and logged 80 frames out there in the Minors. “I’ve been playing infield my whole career. It’s kind of different reading the swings. It’s a little crazy. But I’m going to listen to McKay. I know they need me out there, and I’m going to try to get better every day.”

Around The League

[Los Angeles Times] Clayton Kershaw ‘didn’t feel great’ after playing catch Monday - I don’t wish injuries on any player regardless of what team he plays for. Ignoring the fact that Clayton Kershaw plays for the hated Los Angeles Dodgers, his apparent shoulder injury appears to be more significant than his organization initially revealed. He played catch yesterday for the first time in four days, and the remarks were far from positive.

“It might be another day or two before he picks it again,” Roberts said. “So right now, I think it’s safe to say that he didn’t feel great coming out of it. Where that has us right now, I really don’t know. But I know he’ll probably take a step back until he starts feeling better.”

[Cut4] This one-armed kid hit a home run in a game after a hitting lesson with Chris Carpenter - I never hit a home run with both arms, so that’s cool. Someone tell the kid in left field to look alive!