D-backs Preview #78: 6/26 @ Padres

Roster move

The Arizona Diamondbacks made the following roster moves:

• Activate RHP Brett de Geus (duh-GUS). He will wear No. 59. He was claimed off waivers yesterday from the Texas Rangers.
• Optioned RHP Corbin Martin to Triple-A Reno following last night’s game.

Well, this Corbin experience did last much longer than the previous one. Last time, he was called up on May 18, and sent back to Reno on May 27. This time, it was June 14-26. He did get one more start, but ended up throwing fewer innings, thanks largely to last night’s 0.1 IP outing. He became just the fourth starting pitcher in team history to record one or fewer outs. The others? T.J. McFarland (August 20, 2017); Byung-Hyun Kim (August 14, 2007 - we were at that one) - and Armando Reynoso (April 23, 2000), who failed to retire any batters. Oddly, all four of those games would have involved loss-flavored tacos. But Martin did become our first starter since Reynoso in 2000 to allow more HR than batters retired.

Yep, the road losing streak reached the magical 24, something even the worst team in major-league history, the 1899 Cleveland Spiders, failed to accomplish, even though they played 112 games on the road, and only 42 at home. This imbalance was because their attendance was so pitiful - under 200 people per game - it wasn’t economically feasible for visiting teams to go to Cleveland. Their share of the gate wouldn’t cover travel costs, so the Spiders spent the last month and a half on the road. I don’t think the D-backs will follow suit there, at least. Arizona attendance, averaging 12,543, is actually a reasonably 14th in the majors this year, though of course, it’s hard to compare due to wildly varying restrictions.

Torey Lovullo notes

Corbin Martin Sendout: We made the decision that there needed to be more consistency in being able to follow the attack plan. To go down and get that necessary work to continue learning and growing and get back to the big leagues a little more finished and polished. We feel like he’s very close, we love the stuff, but it’s just about pitch execution. [tl:dr Location, location, location...]

I asked Torey about the Padres on field and dugout celebrations: “Torey, I know the last thing in the world you want to do is give anybody any bulletin board material but I’ve gotta ask, some of the celebrations, whether they’re home-run celebrations, some of the antics in the dugouts from the Padres players... does that cause any issues for any of the players in the dugout? Is anybody offended by that in any way or feeling disrespected?”

(Through pursed lips, clearly choosing words carefully) ummmm... [deep breath] Ummmm yeah, I’d rather not really make a lot of comments on that. The Padres are a good baseball team. They have their way, we respect that. They beat us last night, they did it fair and square. I like for the focus to be between the white lines and that’s where we’ll keep it.

Kole Calhoun took live AB’s and ran lightly out of the box but Torey couldn’t commit to Kole going on a rehab assignment the next couple of days or returning during the next homestand. Kole had said himself he expected to be back by the homestand, but Torey sounded hesitant.

Madison Bumgarner threw another bullpen and they are discussing now next steps. He’ll probably have one more bullpen before he faces live hitters.

J.B. Bukauskes will pitch in a game in Reno tonight.

Tayler Widener will throw a 55 pitch Sim Game or live AB’s on Sunday. It’s possible that Widener could be on the “Zac Gallen” program, and might pitch in the majors after that.

Torey Lovullo audio [or link]