D-backs Preview #122: 8/19 vs. Phillies

Roster move

The Arizona Diamondbacks made the following roster moves:

• Reinstated RHP Noé Ramirez from the injured list.
• Optioned RHP Humberto Castellanos to Triple-A Reno following last night’s game.

The last two days have already whacked about 7% off the Phillies’ post-season chances, according to Fangraphs. If the D-backs can complete the sweep here, that would be another body blow. Right now they sit 3¹⁄₂ games back of the Braves in the NL, and 6¹⁄₂ back of the Padres for the second wild-card. Helping keeping Bryce Harper out of the post-season would certainly not be a bad thing. Otherwise, as a combination of an early day game, Jack busy, me at work and Torey Lovullo showing up 30 minutes late, means there’s no time for much more, except for this!

Torey Lovullo notes

Caleb Smith. No update, the glove will be reviewed by MLB and they’ll determine what’s on the glove and make a decision at that point. He’s still here, on our roster and I’ll keep putting him on the line-up card. I’m gonna stand by my player: he says it was dirt and, to me, it had the characteristics of being dirt. His hand was dry. He said it best yesterday: he is not a cheater, he doesn’t believe in cheating, and I will continue to stand by him. This will be a lesson learned. Looks like there was a build-up of dirt, which can be misinterpreted, and we’ll just have to be mindful of that. We need to be aware of those types of build-ups.

Torey understands Caleb being annoyed at losing his only glove and having to break in a new one. “Your glove is like your baby.” Doesn’t know how that’s progressing, but is sure his supplier will send him another one.

Todd Walsh asked about Greg Colbrunn and Torey’s time with him in 2013. I really enjoyed my time with Colby, He had such an ease of connection with players. He was always so humble and proud, went about his business, was a dedicated, hard-working teacher every single day. His personality fit that group of players very well, and he was always engaged. No only a good teacher but a winner.

Stu Fairchild going to Reno is the best way for him to get consistent at-bats. Right now, we have players playing at a high level. Humberto Castellanos was a difficult decision, but I’m sure we’ll see him back. He’ll start in five days there, and we want to see him continue to work on things like mound presence and tempo. It’s a tough call but means we have a good baseball team.

Team has been hitting less on the field in batting practice. Lovullo usually tries to cut back in late August. Here, it was a couple of players coming to him and expressing their needs, and coming to the ballpark later. Players are still doing their prepping, just off the field and in a different way, in the batting cages. It seems to have had a positive effect. At Coors, will hit on the field in the first day, then in cages for the remainder of the series.

Dave McKay is feeling great, but will not be going on the upcoming road-trip. He may go over to Salt River to work on player development instead. Matt Herges is back with the team, having passed through the 7-day quarantine. Joe Mantiply is scheduled to be cleared on Saturday, and will then be asked to throw, before a decision regarding him is made.

No audio today, just me typing furiously. :)