D-backs Preview #43: 5/18 @ Dodgers

Roster moves

The Arizona Diamondbacks made the following roster moves:

• Recalled RHP Corbin Martin (No. 25) from Triple-A Reno. He will make his D-backs debut.
• Placed RHP Luke Weaver (right shoulder strain) on the 10-day injured list, retroactive to May 17.

I guess yesterday’s rant about making “Roster moves” a standard part of the preview template had some truth to it. For we lose another member of the starting rotation to the Injured List, but I’ll confess there’s some excitement in the wind, regarding who replaces him. Though firstly: am I the only person who keeps confusing Corbin Martin and Corbin Carroll? I mean, it’s not like Corbin is exactly a common first name, is it? So what are the odds we have two of them? Anyway, Martin is among the team’s top pitching prospects, per MLB.com, Fangraphs, and just about everyone else. He’s certainly the best one in the upper tiers, who can help the team this year.

However, it’s worth remembering this won’t be his MLB debut. Indeed, he has more major-league experience than two starters used by Arizona in the past week: Seth Frankoff and Matt Peacock. Martin made five starts for the Astros in 2019, as a 23-year-old, going 1-1 with a 5.59 ERA and a K:BB of 19:12 in 19.1 innings. That was pre Tommy John Martin, however, so any resemblance to the current version is probably coincidental. We’ll certainly be hoping for better than those numbers. Though I would have said the Diamondbacks, under ideal circumstances, would have wanted a softer landing for him, than facing the Dodgers in Los Angeles. But I’m still looking forward to seeing what he does.

Torey Lovullo notes

• Luke Weaver’s injury sounds like it was a lot more serious than they initially thought. The usual comments about gathering information, getting second opinions, still trying to come up with a treatment gameplan, etc, and not offering any specific timeline were made. (Funny how Angels were able to tell people Mike Trout will be out 6-8 weeks today) In any case it sounds like he is going to be out a while:

“It just goes to show you that when somebody steps off the mound their adrenaline is pumping [So not feeling everything perhaps] ... but .imaging doesn’t lie, we are just thankful that he spoke up the way he did... We’re obviously hurting for Luke, getting put on the disabled list and missing some time. He’s been fighting to stay healthy after the injury a couple years ago he was throwing the ball extremely well. But it’s time for him to mend. Somebody is going to get an opportunity to step in his place and go out and do their job and we’re anxious to see who that is.”

• Madison Bumgarner is “feeling good”, with only some mild tightness, but function is good. Listen to audio if you want to hear more about the decision to allow him to bat and then remove him.
• Merrill Kelly does not have any injury concerns around him, despite not being named the starter for tomorrow’s game, which would be his turn on 5 days rest. [Jack’s Guess: If not due to injury, perhaps they want to go Peacock Wednesday, then Kelly on Thursday and keep pushing everyone off one more day in case when they get to Bumgarner if they need to skip him they’ll have someone properly rested. Just my speculation though]
• Corbin Martin’s D-backs Debut: We’re all very eager to see his progression. He was part of a big trade here for this organization... I think he’s been doing a good job in a couple of outings in Reno and showing us the consistency that we’ve been talking about. The stuff speaks for itself
• I also asked Torey what he’d most like to tell fans about Corbin Martin:

A pitcher that is continuing to get better every single day, he is a pitcher with very good stuff and is showing more consistency and repeatability with his pitches and his delivery. We are super excited about his arrival here this year. It isn’t his first time at the big league level... He’s been grinding through some injuries and this is a very proud moment for him and the organization

Torey Lovullo Audio [or link]