Two for one on victories!
Recaps
[AZ Central] Burnes’ dominant spring continues, Randal Grichuk goes deep in win over Rangers – Making his fourth start of the spring, Burnes fired four scoreless innings, allowing just two hits and one walk while striking out five. His results so far this spring have been nothing short of fantastic: one run in 9 1/3 innings with two walks and 13 strikeouts. Burnes is pleased with the way things have progressed so far. “I think kind of the last piece was pairing both the cutter command with the spin and we were able to do that today,” he said. “Now it’s just about getting built up to where we want to be and continue to kind of work on tweaking things a little here and there.” His spring has been so good that he actually took a positive out of an inning that didn’t go as planned.
[SI] Torey Lovullo’s Team Inspired by Win in Las Vegas over the Athletics – Lovullo was happier than usual for a Spring Training win. This trip was a great opportunity for the minor league players to join the veterans and get some experience. “Winning is always fun,” Lovullo said. “We, first of all, prioritize development and the things that we’ve got to get to day by day. But when you take a little road trip like this and you win a game, I think the group is pretty excited. And I feel the same way.” Lovullo felt the team swung the bat well, and appreciated the patient approaches. “We were down 4-0. We just had some really patient approaches, had an all field approach. We just kept tacking on some runs. But for me, it’s all about the youngsters that were here, watching them play, trying to get everybody in the game. So they go home and have a story to tell tonight.”
Team news
[SI] D-backs Manager Lovullo Answers Tough Jordan Montgomery Questions – Lovullo knew the numbers he was going to be asked about and pushed back on the idea that the velocity drop was a concern. “I guarantee there’s more in there. I think he’s just getting a feel for his release point, and maybe feeling things out around the zone, and possibly backing off of himself. I’ll know it when I talk to Monty how he’s feeling. Is he satisfied with the balance points, and all the stuff that leads to getting timed up to find out where that release point is, and compete at home plate. So no concern for me. I just think Monty’s going to find his way, and I’m worried very little about it.”
[Venom Strikes] Diamondbacks backup catcher race upended by injury during Sunday’s game – Jose Herrera was upended in a home plate collision with the Rangers’ Alan Trejo and left the game at the conclusion of the play. Christian Cerda took over from behind the plate for the rest of the game. The Diamondbacks later gave an update on Herrera’s injury. “José Herrera exited today’s game with right wrist soreness.” Wrist injuries can be tricky to navigate, especially since it’s his throwing hand. How much time he’ll miss could affect his chances in making the Opening Day roster in the backup catcher competition. Herrera is competing with Adrian Del Castillo and Rene Pinto to be the backup behind Gabriel Moreno.
[Dbacks.com] His excitement palpable, Jameson ready to contribute again – The D-backs are looking for Jameson to be a part of whatever success they have this year. After missing more than a year, though, he needs to build up his innings. So for this season, Arizona wants him focused on the bullpen. In the future, who knows? Jameson has the stuff to pitch late in games, with an upper 90s fastball and a nasty slider. But more than that, he has the mentality to want the ball when the game is on the line. “I like the big moments,” Jameson said. “I’m a guy that something I need to work on in my game, honestly, is when it’s not a big moment. I need to stay locked in and still pitch at my best in those situations.”
[Arizona Sports] Diamondbacks’ Kevin Ginkel working on smoother delivery – Ginkel feels his delivery has been smoother, which he said analytically has increased the vertical break on his fastball an inch or two. That helps him separate the four-seamer from his slider and two-seamer to keep hitters off. “So from a mechanic standpoint, just trying to clean some stuff up after ball release,” Ginkel told Arizona Sports. “So been doing some stuff on our air track device, doing some plyos, aqua bag stuff, just to help rotate better and get over my front leg better. So it’s been kind of nice trying to feel that out. Just feel a little more fluid. But yeah, overall, stuff’s been good. I feel like fastball is in a good spot.”
[AZ Central] Joc Pederson wanted to return, but has ‘no hard feelings’ toward the Diamondbacks – “I’m not sure how it all went down, but I’m pretty sure it was similar for me and Christian Walker,” Pederson said, referring to the former Diamondbacks first baseman, who signed a three-year, $60 million deal with the Houston Astros. “I thought for sure they were going to bring back one of us, just from the success as a team that we had and individually. Both of us had good years and it was a good year for the offensive group there. I thought they would make a good run at one of us. Hazen is usually pretty up-front and honest, and I’m pretty sure he would have loved to if given the possibility. It just wasn’t an option, I don’t think.”
And, elsewhere…
[MLB Trade Rumors] Gerrit Cole Recommended For Tommy John Surgery, Yankees Awaiting Second Opinion – If the diagnosis is confirmed, the Yankees would lose Cole for not only the 2025 season but likely at least some of the 2026 campaign as well. Even if a second opinion suggests that Cole could rehab the issue rather than go under the knife, even a relatively minor elbow issue could wipe out much of Cole’s 2025 campaign. It was just last year that the veteran right-hander was sidelined by elbow inflammation for nearly three months at the start of the season and ultimately did not make his season debut until June 19. While it’s impossible to establish a timetable for Cole’s return until the second opinion comes in and the Yankees announce more information about their veteran’s status, even the most optimistic of estimates would likely leave Cole out of commission for around that long.
[CBS Sports] Manfred reportedly pressuring Rays owner Stu Sternberg to sell team as stadium drama continues – Dan Doyle Jr., the CEO of a Tampa-based office equipment company who tried to buy the Rays in 2023, is also reportedly interested again. “What I can say now is this: The team has plans to stay in St. Petersburg, and we are fully committed to building on the great work that the city and county have already accomplished,” Molloy told the Tampa Bay Times Sunday. “We are incredibly excited about this opportunity, and that’s all I can share at this time.” If not St. Pete, other potential bidders have looked at Tampa (where the Rays will play home games for the 2025 season at George M. Steinbrenner Field), Ybor City or Orlando.
[Reddit] Raymond James Stadium in a Baseball configuration – ready for the Savannah Bananas & 65K fans next week! Decked out with a short porch that would make even the biggest Yankee drool!
