Spring Training Gameday Thread #3: 3/2 vs. Padres

Diamondbacks line-up

1. David Peralta, LF
2. Nick Ahmed, SS
3. Ketel Marte, CF
4. Eduardo Escobar, 3B
5. Trayce Thompson, RF
6. Andy Young, DH
7. Daulton Varsho, C
8. Josh Rojas, 2B
9. Wyatt Mathisen, 1B
   + Today’s scheduled pitchers: LHP Caleb Smith, LHP Alex Young, RHP Kevin Ginkel, LHP Miguel Aguilar, LHP Sam Moll, RHP Bradley Roney

And now, the bad news. In today’s pre-game media session, manager Torey Lovullo said that outfielder Kole Calhoun had had an MRI on his right knee. The results should be known this afternoon, and we should have a better handle on the situation then: we’ll keep you updated, of course. But it’s definitely not a good sign for the player, this early in the preseason. As previously noted, the slate of “pure” outfielders for Arizona - rather than infielders who can play the outfield - is already quite thin. If the injury proves to be significant. perhaps it might open the door to a roster spot for someone like Thompson, especially if he continues to hit as he did last spring.

The game is scheduled to be eight innings today. However, how many of those will actually consist of a full six outs... Well, that remains to be seen. Only about half of them, if yesterday is any guide. I guess I understand the reason for it, but 20 pitches in an inning feels like a low number, even for this point in the year. Meanwhile, on the San Diego side, their $340 million man, Fernando Tatis Jr. will be batting second this afternoon. Commentary on the game can be found on the AM portion of your radio dial, at 620 KTAR.