Inside the D-backstag:taoofsteve.mlblogs.com,2008-03-29:/7242010-03-18T00:12:45ZNotes, quotes and information about the Arizona Diamondbacks.Movable Type Pro 4.25D-backs Wrapup: Kennedy, Lineups and Leetag:taoofsteve.mlblogs.com,2010://724.14973512010-03-18T00:05:36Z2010-03-18T00:12:45ZHere's your Wednesday recap...Don't forget for up-to-the-minute news and information, you can follow me on Twitter. http://twitter.com/dbackswriterStoriesRHP Brandon Webb is shooting for late-April return.The signing of RHP Kris Benson is now official.ROUGH ONE: For the second straight day, a D-backs...goasu14http://www.mlb.com Don't forget for up-to-the-minute news and information, you can follow me on Twitter. http://twitter.com/dbackswriter
ROUGH ONE: For the second straight day, a D-backs starting pitcher had trouble getting a feel for his pitches.
Tuesday, it was Edwin Jackson and Wednesday it was Ian Kennedy's turn.
The right-hander allowed four runs on seven hits over 3 1/3 innings of work against the Angels at Tempe Diablo Stadium.
"I felt all over the place," Kennedy said. "My fastball command wasn't nearly what I wanted it to be. It'd feel like one pitch would be there and the next pitch I would try to repeat it and it's up and away or I'd pull it in the dirt. It's frustrating because I always want to do well. It's Spring Training, but still I want to perform. It's just one of those starts where I felt like I couldn't repeat the same pitch I had before."
Kennedy did not allow a run in his first two starts of the spring, but Wednesday he seemed to be behind on a majority of the hitters.
"That's another thing I'm frustrated about," he said. "I put them in hitter's counts almost every time. When I was ahead I got it to even. It was 0-1 then it was 1-1 or I'd get a 1-2 and then I'd go to 2-2. You can't pitch late in games throwing that many pitches every time. I physically feel good. That's the frustrating part. You feel good and then I feel like I can't repeat the same pitch so that's what's frustrating."
LINING UP: The starting lineup for the D-backs on Wednesday -- Drew (ss), Jackson (lf), Upton (rf), LaRoche (1b), Reynolds (3b), Montero (c), Johnson (2b) and Young (cf) -- included every player you would expect to be in there on Opening Day.
As for the batting order...well, that remains a work in progress.
One thing seems certain and that is that manager A.J. Hinch likes the combination of Upton, LaRoche and Reynolds in the 3-4-5 spots.
Another thing that seems likely is Jackson in the No. 2 hole given his plate discipline and on-base abilities.
Leadoff hitter? Stay tuned.
"Kelly and Stephen and CY could all conceivable hit near the top or the bottom of our lineup," Hinch said. "It's a good problem to have. We have the makings of an offense that could be pretty fluid throughout the order."
So if Jackson is second, Upton third, LaRoche fourth, Reynolds fifth and Montero sixth that means that two of the three candidates to hit leadoff would end up in the seventh and eighth spots in the order.
While the order will change during the season, Hinch will try to keep it consistent.
"I don't want to get into a routine of flipping the lineup all the time," he said. "I do like the idea of having the guys understand their roles and understand where it is. At the top of the order, I want the guys to be the table-setters for the middle of the order. It could change over time. I look at it a different way that with so many options it's an advantage for us."
NOT MUCH: The D-backs did not have much reaction to the news that Mariners pitcher Cliff Lee had been suspended for five regular season games for throwing over the head of Chris Snyder on Monday in Tucson.
"We don't have them on our schedule," Snyder said. "The only time we would see them is if we both make it in October and by then I'm sure that suspension will be over with."
So did Snyder think it was deserved?
"That's not my call," he said. "MLB made the call on it. That's it."
How about you Hinch, what do you think about it?
"Nothing for me to comment on," Hinch said. "It's MLB's business and the Mariners business."
QUICK HITTER: Upton continues to hit the ball with authority this spring. He picked up another pair of hits Wednesday and Hinch said he looks to be in a "good rhythm" at the plate. ...
Mark Reynolds hit his first homer of the spring in the sixth inning.
"He's been inching forward in his contact," Hinch said. ...
With Brandon Webb starting the year on the disabled list there are two spots in the rotation up for grabs for Billy Buckner, Rodrigo Lopez, Kevin Mulvey (and maybe) Kris Benson.
If camp ended today it would not be a surprise to see Kennedy in the third spot and Buckner No. 4. The D-backs could then wait until April 17 before needing to carry a fifth starter.
"I don't think it's any secret that Buckner and Kennedy have a leg up," Hinch said. "But I wouldn't count Lopez and Mulvey out by any means."
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Saturday's wrapup on the D-backstag:taoofsteve.mlblogs.com,2010://724.14891312010-03-14T00:14:18Z2010-03-14T00:19:04ZDon't forget for up-to-the-minute news and information, you can follow me on Twitter. TODAY'S STORIES:Chris Snyder feels he has something to prove this year.D-backs beat the Dodgers, 7-3, in front of a sellout crowd at TEP.Walks hurt RHP Kevin Mulvey...goasu14http://www.mlb.com
Don't forget for up-to-the-minute news and information, you can follow me on Twitter.
CLOSE CALL: The competition for the final spot on the bench is starting to really heat up for the D-backs.
"It's nice when the plot thickens a little bit," D-backs manager A.J. Hinch said. "We still have a lot of time left so there's plenty of time for further evaluation, but to have them playing crisply is good to see."
Tony Abreu, Jeff Bailey, Cole Gillespie and Rusty Ryal have all impressed in various ways. At the start of camp it looked like Abreu and Ryal would be the main the combatants given that the team probably would not want to carry five outfielders (Gillespie) or a another first baseman (Bailey).
It's still doubtful that they will carry someone whose primary position is first base, but Gillespie may make them reconsider carrying five outfielders.
"It's interesting how guys can change your mind or push to make rosters," Hinch said. "I think with our roster and the flexibility we have it's not inconceivable that we wouldn't carry five outfielders. Gillespie is making a great impression."
Acquired in the deal that sent Felipe Lopez to Milwaukee last July, Gillespie has hit the ball well -- he tripled in his one at-bat Saturday to raise his average to raise his spring average to .316. In addition he's shown that he can play all three outfield positions rather than just the corners, which adds to his value.
Abreu and Ryal have both played extremely well. Saturday it was a back and forth between the two with Abreu, who is hitting .478, tripling home a pair of runs in the fifth and Ryal coming back with a homer one inning later.
Ryal, who raised his average to .250 with a pair of homers, also made a nice diving stop at third and has shown he can play second, first and left field as well.
"Ryal's diving play at third was nice to see," Hinch said.
Abreu has already proved he could play second, short and third this spring.
"Abreu continues to impress at short," Hinch said.
There's still three weeks left and it will likely come down to what skill set Hinch wants in that final spot. Does he want a versatile middle infielder like Abreu? Or with Augie Ojeda already filling that role does Hinch want someone with a little more pop in his bat like Ryal? Or does Gillespie play so well that he forces them to carry a fifth outfielder?
Stay tuned. This could get real interesting.
WEBB UPDATE: Brandon Webb played catch again Saturday and there seems to be some encouragement building in him as well as Arizona officials.
"He feels great," Hinch said. "I think the three or four day blow that we gave him was what he needed. He's showing some more life in his arm. The good thing is he's progressing at a more accelerated pace."
Webb threw a few breaking balls, something Hinch took as a very positive sign though there is still no timetable for him to get into a Cactus League game.
"Hopefully sometime in the next week I'd certainly would hope to get him back up on the mound and get him back on his program of bullpens and whatever's next," Hinch said.
And let's stop waiting for the D-backs to come out and say he's going to start the season on the disabled list -- Hinch gets asked that question every day -- and just accept that he will not be making the start the third day of the season as originally hoped.
The D-backs will not need a fifth starter until April 17 so it will be interesting to see whether they decide to just carry four starters until then and if Webb could possibly be ready for that start.
"If he's not going to make the third start of the season when is that next start going to come?" Hinch said. "I don't know. But what I do know is as soon as he's ready we want him in our rotation. But until then we're going to compete and expect to win so when he does get back he's a great addition to our team.
NO PLAYING GAMES WITH KENNEDY: With Ian Kennedy only throwing 23 2/3 innings during the regular season last year -- plus another 29 2/3 in the Arizona Fall League -- Hinch was asked Saturday if the team might delay the start of Kennedy's season a little to help keep his inning total down.
"We won't be interested in delaying the start of his season on purpose," he said.
Instead, the team will monitor him throughout the season and if necessary give him an extra day here and there. Hinch, though, said the team expects between 160-180 innings from Kennedy, typically what a No. 4 or 5 starter throws.
TITLES: Hinch does not want to say yet whether Bob Howry or Juan Gutierrez will be the primary setup man to closer Chad Qualls.
"It's a little early to worry about that yet," Hinch said. "[Gutierrez] will pitch in important innings, though, that's how I would title it."
BACK: Outfielder Chris Young, who left the team for a few days due to a death in his family, was back in the lineup Saturday.
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Friday wrap: Montero saves Zavada's outingtag:taoofsteve.mlblogs.com,2010://724.14873912010-03-13T03:39:02Z2010-03-13T03:43:36ZDon't forget for up-to-the-minute news and information, you can follow me on Twitter. TODAY'S ONLINE STORIES: Remember when the Jose Valverde trade to the Astros looked like a winner for Houston? How is it looking today? The D-backs beat the...goasu14http://www.mlb.com
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TODAY'S ONLINE STORIES: Remember when the Jose Valverde trade to the Astros looked like a winner for Houston? How is it looking today?
NARROW ESCAPE: Left-hander Clay Zavada had his best outing thus far tossing a scoreless inning. The left-hander walked the leadoff batter in the fourth, but got a double play ball and struck out Travis Buck to end the frame.
It's been a challenging spring for Zavada, who is trying to work on his curveball to give himself another weapon against lefties while at the same time impressing the staff enough to win one of the final two spots in the bullpen.
It seems in his first two appearances this spring, Zavada was too quick to the plate, which threw off his mechanics and control.
According to Zavada, it was catcher Miguel Montero that got him back on track after the walk Friday.
"The first guy I just felt uncomfortable, but then Miggy came out and basically just calmed me down and said you're not helping yourself here by trying to think because that's not my thing," Zavada said. "That was good coaching on his part. Miggy helped me out a lot. No doubt in my mind it would have been a bad outing if he hadn't come out and said something to me. It was a positive outing and it could have been ugly."
It seems he's starting to get the feel for the breaking ball again.
"I threw a couple of good breaking balls," Zavada said. "They weren't way out there, they weren't hitting the guy, they were down in the zone with good bend and I was real confident behind it, which helps. I wasn't throwing it with confidence, that was my main thing and today I was."
Hinch reminded Zavada after his outing not to put too much pressure on himself to be perfect
WORKING HARD: Ian Kennedy had a nice outing against the A's, but it wasn't easy.
The right-hander held the A's to one hit and one walk over three innings, yet nearly ended up reaching his pitch count before he could get through the third. Manager A.J. Hinch said he told Kennedy before the third that he had just 10 pitches left.
After watching Kennedy get out of the inning without going over his limit, Hinch joked that they were going to tell him that before every inning from now on.
"I think I was probably trying to be too fine early on," Kennedy said of why his pitch count got up there. "Like I would get guys with two strikes and then try to be a little too fine, make it a little too good. They were just taking, they had good eyes and made me throw a lot of pitches."
Kennedy is a four-seam fastball guy who had fiddled with a two-seamer for a while before finally using it extensively in the Arizona Fall League last year. It was a pitch that worked well for him Friday.
"I feel pretty good with it," Kennedy said. "I was curious to see how it was when games started, but it seems to still be there. That's a pitch I need. You look at the best pitchers and they all have it. It's just a pitch that saves you pitches later on in the game and can get you later in the game."
So if you're keeping track at home that means Kennedy's arsenal includes a four-seamer, a two-seamer, a cut fastball, a curve and a change.
Now, Kennedy is still mainly going to throw his four-seamer, but he's going to keep working on the two-seamer and he'd like Brandon Webb, who throws one of the best if not the best ones in the game, to show him how he throws his comebacker two-seamer that starts in on a left-hander's hip and when they give up on it breaks over the inside corner for a strike.
Webb, you may remember, watched Greg Maddux use the pitch and decided to try throwing it and picked it up right away. Chances are it might take Kennedy a little more time.
CAN'T FORGET WEBBY: Webb played catch from about 140 feet and reported that it's the best he's felt. We'll see how he progresses in the next few days, but he seemed very upbeat about it in the clubhouse afterwards.
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D-backs work out Kris Bensontag:taoofsteve.mlblogs.com,2010://724.14868212010-03-12T20:53:42Z2010-03-12T21:06:12ZThe D-backs worked out free-agent pitcher Kris Benson on Friday morning over at the club's Minor League complex according to Arizona GM Josh Byrnes.Benson threw five innings in a simulated game against Minor Leaguers like Marc Krauss, Ryan Wheeler, Taylor...goasu14http://www.mlb.com Benson threw five innings in a simulated game against Minor Leaguers like Marc Krauss, Ryan Wheeler, Taylor Harbin, Andrew Fie and Doug Deeds.
"He here to work out and we certainly afforded him the opportunity," Byrnes said.
Benson missed the 2007 and 2008 seasons due to arm issues and threw just 22 1/3 innings last year with the Rangers.
Byrnes declined to say how Benson looked or how hard he threw and he said the decision to look at Benson was not because the club thinks Brandon Webb might have to start the year on the disabled list.
""Every club is always wanting to ensure pitching depth," Byrnes said. "It's an evaluation worth doing. We'll see how we proceed."
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March 11 Wraptag:taoofsteve.mlblogs.com,2010://724.14856512010-03-12T04:02:02Z2010-03-12T04:05:42ZDon't forget for up-to-the-minute news and information, you can follow me on Twitter. Here's a look at today's stories: A Brandon Webb update, D-backs sign or renew all 22 pre-arbitration players and beat the Angels 4-1.Really there's nothing new in...goasu14http://www.mlb.com
you can follow me on Twitter.
Really there's nothing new in the Webb story, nothing that has not been obvious for the better part of the last week and that is that it is unlikely that he will be able to start the third game of the season.
Now look, that doesn't mean that he won't be able to start soon after that, it doesn't mean there's something further wrong with his shoulder and it certainly is not time to panic about his availability for the long haul of the season.
The man is recovering from shoulder surgery. He had not thrown off a mound for the better part of 11 months. There were bound to be some hiccups along the way. This was never going to be smooth sailing.
Let's see what happens over the next week or so. It sure sounds like he just needs to get over the hump or plateau that he's at right now (and by the way I've used the word "stagnant" in my stories more in the past week than I previously had used in my entire career). If he's able to get over that hump/off that plateau/unstagnanted it could be a quick progression for him. If not...well there's plenty of time to delve into what that means for the team.
I know that GM Josh Byrnes told The Arizona Republic in December "I don't think there's any scenario where it doesn't go well for him and we're able to overcome that." But keep in mind that was before the team signed second baseman Kelly Johnson, reliever Bob Howry and first baseman Adam LaRoche so I'm not sure that quote is operative any longer.
Am I saying the D-backs are going to win the NL West without Webb pitching well for most of the season? No. But then again I'm not sure they win the division even with him pitching well for most of the season.
What I am saying is there is a chance they win the division with him and there's a chance they win it without him. Surely his health will be a big factor, but there are lots of others.
Anyway, that's more than enough about Webb for one day. Let's take a look at some other things to come out of the game today:
-- You can't help but be impressed so far with Edwin Jackson. He threw a solid three innings today and was so efficient he had to go down to the bullpen to throw 15 more pitches so he would reach his pitch count for the day.
"Nasty stuff," catcher Miguel Montero said about Jackson.
"Still trying to work on things," Jackson said. "Still fine tuning."
-- Reliever Leo Rosales has looked really good this spring. The right-hander allowed a home run to Mike Napoli (what else is new, Napoli has three homers already this spring) but in two spring outings he's retired six of the seven batters he's faced.
"Leo's thrown the ball well," D-backs manager A.J. Hinch said.
Rosales kind of flew under the radar a bit last year -- he pitched better than you think -- and is out of Minor League options. It would not surprise me in the least if he makes the team out of Spring Training.
-- Tony Abreu = en fuego.
Abreu started at third Thursday so if you're keeping track at home he's played second, short and third this spring. He was 2-for-3 with a double and a couple of plays in the field.
"Abreu continues to shine," Hinch said.
Spent some time talking with Abreu after the game and it's clear he's feeling very confident and realizes the opportunity that he has to make this team.
-- Chris Snyder hit his first home run of the spring, but more importantly has now played three days in a row -- catching, dhing and catching -- and has not had any issues with his surgically-repaired back.
-- Aaron Heilman, who looked shaky in his first outing of the spring looked sharp striking out a pair in one inning. Since allowing four runs in one inning last Friday against the Cubs, the right-hander has allowed one hit in two innings.
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Wednesday wrapuptag:taoofsteve.mlblogs.com,2010://724.14835212010-03-11T01:57:27Z2010-03-11T02:01:10ZHere's a link to today's story in which Stephen Drew opens up about some of the off-field struggles he went through in 2009. It's early in spring, but he's really swung the bat well thus far. Also did a short...goasu14http://www.mlb.com
a link to today's story in which Stephen Drew opens up about some of the off-field struggles he went through in 2009. It's early in spring, but he's really swung the bat well thus far.
-- Dan Haren was pleased with his outing today against the Dodgers. The right-hander gave up four hits over 2 2/3 innings and wanted to finish the third, but he had reached his pitch count so manager A.J. Hinch took him out in favor of Bob Howry.
Haren threw his first split-finger fastballs of the spring during the outing.
"Last time out I felt OK but I didn't feel great," said Haren, who threw 49 pitches. "I felt the ball was coming out of my hand a little better today. I used more off-speed stuff. And my fastball felt like it had a little bit of life to it. I'm still not out there max effort but overall I felt really good."
-- Another positive was the performance of closer Chad Qualls, who thus far this spring has not shown any ill effects from last season's knee injury/surgery.
Qualls got all three batters he faced in the fifth to ground out.
"When Qualls is getting groundballs he's right where he needs to be," Hinch said.
-- Hinch said before the game that he plans on having Chris Snyder and Miguel Montero catch back-to-back games over in Minor League camp before they do it in Cactus League games.
For right now, Hinch has alternated using the pair behind the plate and at the DH spot so that they can keep sharp at the plate without being taxed behind it.
-- Gerardo Parra started in center against the Dodgers, something you could see a lot of this spring. Depending on who wins the final bench spot, Parra could wind up being the lone backup to Chris Young at that position.
Two players battling for the final roster spot -- Drew Macias and Cole Gillespie -- can both play center.
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Pollock makes D-backs debuttag:taoofsteve.mlblogs.com,2010://724.14835012010-03-11T01:54:09Z2010-03-11T01:55:21ZGLENDALE, Ariz. -- A.J. Hinch thought it was best not to give A.J. Pollock too much time to think about his first taste of Major League baseball. Pollock, who was Arizona's second pick in the first round of the 2009...goasu14http://www.mlb.com Pollock, who was Arizona's second pick in the first round of the 2009 First-Year Player Draft (17th overall), was brought over from Minor League camp as an extra player for Wednesday's game against the Dodgers.
"We only gave him about 10 hours notice," Hinch said. "We called him last night at about 9 and told him to be on the bus at 7 a.m."
Pollock was going to play Sunday, but both split-squad games that day were shortened by rain.
In the seventh, Pollock entered the game in center and got his first at-bat in the ninth. And when I say first at-bat I mean not just the first of the game, but the first time he has faced live pitching this year.
He laced a double to left-center and advanced to third on a groundout. Hinch put the contact play on -- meaning that Pollock was to run when contact was made by hitter Jake Wald. Wald hit a grounder to short and as Pollock slid home safely with the game-tying run when shortstop Ivan DeJesus Jr. threw low to plate.
"He laid into that ball he hit it as squarely as you can hit it," Hinch said.
Pollock said he was nervous, but not in the way you would think.
"I was just ready to go," Pollock said. "I wanted to stay as relaxed as I could [at the plate]. I was a little nervous going in there mostly for the field, the hitting I was like whatever. You know you go into your first at-bat of the year if you don't perform you get back out there and get going again. I didn't want to misplay a fly ball, I didn't care if popped up."
Judging by the impression he made, it seems safe to say we haven't seen the last of Pollock this spring.
"He's not too far removed from being a camp invite or moving up the chain," Hinch said. "He's an exciting player."
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Saturday wrapuptag:taoofsteve.mlblogs.com,2010://724.14750512010-03-06T23:24:23Z2010-03-06T23:28:40ZFirst things first, here are links to a couple of stories from today:Webb urges patience in judging rehab Reynolds contract talks continue Remember you can follow me on Twitter for the latest updatesChris Young put together another good day at...goasu14http://www.mlb.com Webb urges patience in judging rehab
Chris Young put together another good day at the plate Saturday going 3-for-4 with a double, a homer and three RBIs against the Giants. Friday against the Cubs he had a line-drive double to the gap in left.
"It felt good," Young said. "Scottsdale Stadium always brings a lot of energy. Packed house, lots of D-backs fans out there today."
Young, who spent the offseason working with a track coach on becoming more explosive, had a bunt single in the first inning. Bunting is something he also worked at during the offseason. With as hard as he hits the ball to the left side, third basemen tend to play him deep, which would seem to give him an opportunity to lay the ball down some.
"I've got to use my speed more," Young said.
In what has to be a good sign for the D-backs even the out Young made -- a strikeout in the second inning -- he worked the count and battled during the at-bat.
STARTING OPTIONS: Before the game I asked GM Josh Byrnes if Brandon Webb was not ready for the opener would he look to add a starter.
"I think we want to evaluate the guys we have and give them a chance," Byrnes replied. "Like any spring, we have a good idea of players that could be available for a variety of reasons and we've got to scout them and decide whether we believe they would be upgrades, particularly if there's an absence. Generally that activity happens at the end of the month, if there is anything like that. We're in communication with our scouts so they're aware of a hit list."
NICE DEBUT: Edwin Jackson worked two scoreless innings in his first appearance in an Arizona uniform. The right-hander allowed a pair of hits and fanned one.
"I felt pretty good for the first day," Jackson said. "Stayed around the plate for the most part, commanded the pitches, not a bad first outing."
Jackson said he threw all his pitches -- curve, slider, change.
"Pretty much came with the full arsenal today just to see how it is," he said.
When asked if he was working on anything he said, "Stay around the strike zone, make them put the ball in play. Get used to pitching to contact and let the defense work behind me."
Jackson did do one thing that gave Hinch pause. In the second he laid down a sacrifice bunt and stretched for the base at first nearly colliding with Aubrey Huff.
"I could have done without that lunge at first base," Hinch said with a smile.
EVEN DOZEN: Arizona manager A.J. Hinch has hedged as to how many pitchers the team will carry to start the year, but Byrnes said Saturday he would prefer they keep 12 with 13 position players.
LOOKING GOOD: Tony Abreu drew praise from Hinch for the second straight day for his play at shortstop this spring.
"I'm impressed," Hinch said. "I think he plays with great energy and has a knack for finding the ball."
Abreu has made several nice defensive plays this spring and is Hinch said "right in the thick of it" for the final spot on the bench.
Hinch added that the club could carry both Augie Ojeda and Abreu.
STOP!: The big inning has been a problem for the D-backs in their first three games.
The Rockies had rallies of three and four runs in the opener, the Cubs put up a four-spot Friday and the Giants scored nine runs in the fifth Saturday.
"Those big innings are not what we want to see," Hinch said. "That's a point that we'll recognize. Control the inning. Being able to stop the bleeding when you have the opportunity to."
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Notes from Friday's gametag:taoofsteve.mlblogs.com,2010://724.14728412010-03-05T23:23:06Z2010-03-05T23:27:40ZHard to know what was the bigger news today. On the one hand you had D-backs GM Josh Byrnes saying that it was possible Brandon Webb would start the year on the DL and then there was Mark Reynolds saying...goasu14http://www.mlb.com
GM Josh Byrnes saying that it was possible Brandon Webb would start the year on the DL and then there was Mark Reynolds saying that talks on a possible contract extension were a distraction.
Here are a look at a few other notes from the day:
NICE START: Dan Haren tossed a pair of hitless innings against the Cubs, allowing just one walk while throwing 20 pitches.
A 1-2-3 quick first inning raised some concerns in the Arizona dugout that he might not get up to his pitch count in his two scheduled innings.
A walk to begin the second, though, allowed him to throw some extra pitches.
"It feels weird, it's been a long time," Haren said of getting back out on the mound. "To go out there and compete again is nice. I've got a long ways to go, but I'm happy with the way it started. I don't necessarily put in 100 percent effort, I'm working more mechanics and you know getting a feel for all my pitches. I'm definitely where I want to be, but that being said I still have a long way to go."
Haren threw some fastballs, cutters and curves, but did not throw his split.
"I'll definitely throw a few next time and keep working on it on the side," Haren said. "The goal is by the time April rolls around to have all my pitches feel crisp and ready."
KEEP AN EYE ON HIM: I still think Rusty Ryal has a real good shot of winning that final spot on the bench. Hinch plans on playing him at second and third and he showed during a stint in the Dominican Republic during the winter that he could play left field.
Ryal's versatility plus the pop he has in his bat should play in his favor.
"I don't know if anybody outworks him," D-backs manager A.J. Hinch said. "He's just continued to get better and improve himself at the plate. His strike zone discipline has gradually gotten better, the authority with which he swings the bat has gotten better. He's forced himself onto the map as far as being an offensive threat at the Major League level. For him now exposing him at different defensive spots is going to be important to have him make the team and if continues to advance offensively you've got a nice player on your hands."
NOW PLAYING SHORTSTOP: When he was acquired last year, Tony Abreu was expected to be the team's starting second baseman in 2010. Then Kelly Johnson was non-tendered by the Braves and those plans changed.
Now Abreu finds himself competing for the final spot on the bench as a utility infielder. With that in mind, look for him to see some time at short and third as well as second this spring. He started at shortstop Friday against the Cubs and also played there in relief of Stephen Drew on Thursday.
"I'm interested to see how he looks at shortstop," Hinch said. "He hasn't played a ton of shortstop. It's what he's played the least. Part of the early part of spring is exposing to these guys to maybe a little bit of outside their comfort zone and see how they respond."
THAT'S MORE LIKE IT: The D-backs played a much crisper game defensively against the Cubs after a sloppy 11-1 loss to the Rockies on Thursday.
"I think yesterday's game was a little disappointing for everyone to be honest with you," Haren said. "Not that we're necessarily trying to win or lose, but we're not trying to lose that's for sure. Last spring we didn't really play that well and I think it kind of trickled into the season. [Today] has been a pretty clean game and that's more of the game we're trying to play."
BACK IN ACTION: Catcher Chris Snyder saw his first action since having surgery on his back last September. Snyder caught four innings.
"He came out of hit fine and he'll catch again Sunday," Hinch said.
GAME NOTES: Center fielder Gerardo Parra made a nice throw in the bottom of the fifth to nail a runner trying to tag up from third in the bottom of the fifth.
Justin Upton blasted a grand slam off the scoreboard in the fifth.
"I thought that was going over the scoreboard," Cubs manager Lou Piniella said of Upton's homer. "That's a long wallop. Upton is going to hit a home run off anybody."
Ryan Roberts and Cole Gillespie also homered for the D-backs.
It was a rough day for Aaron Heilman, who allowed four runs on five hits in one inning of work.
By contrast young hurlers Wes Roemer, Jordan Norberto and Bryan Shawn all pitched well.
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Matt Williams is dialed intag:taoofsteve.mlblogs.com,2010://724.14726312010-03-05T21:55:14Z2010-03-05T22:05:14ZD-backs first-base coach Matt Williams has been known to be intense, but he took things to a different level Friday when he applied pine tar and resin to his fungo bat. Had to snap a picture of it....goasu14http://www.mlb.com
fungo bat. Had to snap a picture of it.
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Thursday game notestag:taoofsteve.mlblogs.com,2010://724.14705412010-03-04T23:26:49Z2010-03-04T23:29:54ZHere are some notes from the D-backs 11-1 loss to the Rockies in the Cactus League opener Thursday at Tucson Electric Park:SLOPPY PLAY: The D-backs didn't look like a team that had spent extra time on fundamentals and team defense...goasu14http://www.mlb.com SLOPPY PLAY: The D-backs didn't look like a team that had spent extra time on fundamentals and team defense with some lapses in the 11-1 loss to the Rockies.
"You have a sun ball, you have a misplay on a ball back to the pitcher," Hinch said. "We couldn't close out innings, they scored a lot of two-out runs. So in the context of the game they did a lot right. In the context of how we did, it's Day One and I'll look at some good things and a couple of things we'll address tomorrow."
CUT ME: Starter Billy Buckner allowed a pair of first-inning runs, but the right-hander had an impressive cut fastball on the day. Buckner said he threw four or five of them and got swings and misses on every one.
"I thought he rebounded pretty well after a rough start," Hinch said. "He just couldn't get out of the first inning, but he bounced back with a nice inning in the second inning which showed me a little something. Pitch down and pitch to contact are the two things that I would take away from today [for him]."
IMPRESSIVE: Reliever Leo Rosales, who is competing for one of the final bullpen spots, got three comebackers in the ninth inning.
All three of the outs came on his signature changeup.
"I was just trying to locate down in the zone," Rosales said. "They were swinging the bat today so it was important for me to pound the zone at the knees."
Rosales is out of Minor League options and would need to be placed on waivers if the team tries to send him to Triple-A Reno at the end of the spring.
GETTING TO KNOW YOU: Hinch plans on playing shortstop Stephen Drew and newly-acquired second baseman Kelly Johnson together as often as possible this spring to help them get comfortable with one another.
"Obviously there's the feeds and turns, communication throughout the game on who has the bag and learning any odds and ends or quirks," Hinch said. "Mostly it's the turns and the tweener balls up the middle that both can get to, popup communication, things like that that are very easy to talk about in a clubhouse, but then when game speed picks up and instincts take over that's when you see guys that haven't played together. Timing of when to get the ball to each other on double plays is probably the most significant play that needs to be practiced. You can do all the drills you want until the game speed that's where you really find out."
12 AND 13? STAY TUNED: Hinch said he had not decided yet whether the team would carry 13 position players and 12 pitchers at the start of the year.
"I think that's a good question at the end of camp," Hinch said. "One of the advantages we have is that almost all the guys that are in these competitions have [Minor League] options so the roster flexibility at the end of camp will be pretty good."
HUSH HUSH: Unlike past years, the D-backs will not announce starting lineups a day or two in advance. Third baseman Mark Reynolds and first baseman Adam LaRoche, though, are expected to start Friday.
FRIDAY PITCHING: Dan Haren will start against the Cubs. Wes Roemer, Clay Zavada, Jordan Norberto, Bryan Shaw, Esmerling Vasquez and Aaron Heilman are also scheduled to pitch.
SATURDAY PITCHING: Edwin Jackson makes his Diamondback debut against the Giants at Scottsdale Stadium. Others slated to see action include Bryan Augenstein, Kyler Newby, Jose Marte, Roque Mercedes, Blaine Boyer and Juan Gutierrez.
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Monday notes from D-backs camptag:taoofsteve.mlblogs.com,2010://724.14646112010-03-02T03:49:28Z2010-03-02T03:57:52ZToday's main story was on Chris Young and all the work he put in during the offseason.For all the latest updates on practice times and other news, please follow me on Twitter. -- There was plenty of sun Monday, but...goasu14http://www.mlb.com
Chris Young and all the work he put in during the offseason.
For all the latest updates on practice times and other news, please follow me on Twitter. -- There was plenty of sun Monday, but the weather still delayed things as the D-backs had to wait more than an hour to get started in the morning due to wet fields.
The D-backs were able to get in all their work with just a few grumbles about the long day. There will be one more session of live batting practice Tuesday and Wednesday they will look to go through their workouts over at Tucson Electric Park in anticipation of Thursday's opener.
-- Hinch announced that Rodrigo Lopez, who is battling for the fifth spot in the rotation, will start Monday's game against the Indians as well as the March 14 game in Hermosillo, Mexico.
Taking a couple of days off was all Gebhard could manage. In fact, he tried to convince his doctor to let him go back to the office the day he was released from the hospital after having a pair of stents put in.
-- Seems like the most asked question has moved on from Hinch's relative lack of experience in the dugout to how he is going to handle his catching corps.
To restate, Miguel Montero is the starter heading into camp, but Hinch says that doesn't mean that Chris Snyder is going to be buried on the bench. He is reluctant to get into how much playing time each is going to get, but says it will not be a strict platoon situation.
Hinch said pitchers would not have "personal catchers" and it will be interesting to see how that plays out with Brandon Webb, who is used to having Snyder catch him. The two have a very close relationship and Webb relies on Snyder game-calling ability.
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Friday scribblings from D-backs camptag:taoofsteve.mlblogs.com,2010://724.14590312010-02-26T21:25:55Z2010-02-26T21:26:56ZA little bit of a late start for the D-backs today as they had their annual meeting with the Players Association in the morning.-- Tony Abreu left camp on Friday to attend to a family issue, but is not expected...goasu14http://www.mlb.com -- Tony Abreu left camp on Friday to attend to a family issue, but is not expected to miss much time and could be back as soon as Saturday.
-- Brandon Webb had a "really good" long-toss session Friday according to pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre Jr.
One of the issues that Webb has faced in his comeback is getting his timing/mechanics down. One trick that Stottlemyre tried with him Friday that paid dividends was rolling the ball to him before he threw, that way he had his feet moving and that prompted him to get his arm up and into the right position quicker.
All three bullpen sessions Webb has thrown so far this spring have been separate from his teammates, but he's feeling good enough now that he's going to throw his next session Sunday with the other pitchers.
-- Third baseman Mark Reynolds and outfielder Justin Upton wore wireless mics for a Major League Baseball Productions feature.
"I don't think I've said anything interesting," Reynolds said near the end of the workout.
-- Dan Haren looked sharp while throwing a live batting practice session.
"He was painting as usual," Reynolds said alluding to Haren's pinpoint control even this early in camp.
For Haren the session helped jump start where his progress this spring.
"I was getting to a lull period where I was getting to the point where I needed to be," Haren said. "It's amazing you get a hitter standing in there and the adrenaline pumping and everything seemed right. I'm happy with the way today went."
Each year Haren tries to work on something to improve and try and get better. One thing is trying to improve his second halves which have caused him some issues the past couple of years.
"I'm going to do a little more maintenance stuff during the season and try to be better toward the end," Haren said. "Hopefully I'll get off to a good start, I've had the ability to do that the last few years and just keep that momentum throughout and hopefully come the second half we're playing for something and that always makes it easier."
That Haren has had some good stretches in the second half is proof to him that it's not a physical issue.
"It's definitely not a fatigue thing," he said. "It's the ability to bounce back after a rough one and some of it can be mental more than physical because my stuff is there at the end of the year. You get hit around one or two times in the big leagues it's not easy to get out there that third time. You lose a little bit of confidence."
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tag:taoofsteve.mlblogs.com,2010://724.14590212010-02-26T21:25:55Z2010-02-26T21:26:34ZA little bit of a late start for the D-backs today as they had their annual meeting with the Players Association in the morning.-- Tony Abreu left camp on Friday to attend to a family issue, but is not expected...goasu14http://www.mlb.com -- Tony Abreu left camp on Friday to attend to a family issue, but is not expected to miss much time and could be back as soon as Saturday.
-- Brandon Webb had a "really good" long-toss session Friday according to pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre Jr.
One of the issues that Webb has faced in his comeback is getting his timing/mechanics down. One trick that Stottlemyre tried with him Friday that paid dividends was rolling the ball to him before he threw, that way he had his feet moving and that prompted him to get his arm up and into the right position quicker.
All three bullpen sessions Webb has thrown so far this spring have been separate from his teammates, but he's feeling good enough now that he's going to throw his next session Sunday with the other pitchers.
-- Third baseman Mark Reynolds and outfielder Justin Upton wore wireless mics for a Major League Baseball Productions feature.
"I don't think I've said anything interesting," Reynolds said near the end of the workout.
-- Dan Haren looked sharp while throwing a live batting practice session.
"He was painting as usual," Reynolds said alluding to Haren's pinpoint control even this early in camp.
For Haren the session helped jump start where his progress this spring.
"I was getting to a lull period where I was getting to the point where I needed to be," Haren said. "It's amazing you get a hitter standing in there and the adrenaline pumping and everything seemed right. I'm happy with the way today went."
Each year Haren tries to work on something to improve and try and get better. One thing is trying to improve his second halves which have caused him some issues the past couple of years.
"I'm going to do a little more maintenance stuff during the season and try to be better toward the end," Haren said. "Hopefully I'll get off to a good start, I've had the ability to do that the last few years and just keep that momentum throughout and hopefully come the second half we're playing for something and that always makes it easier."
That Haren has had some good stretches in the second half is proof to him that it's not a physical issue.
"It's definitely not a fatigue thing," he said. "It's the ability to bounce back after a rough one and some of it can be mental more than physical because my stuff is there at the end of the year. You get hit around one or two times in the big leagues it's not easy to get out there that third time. You lose a little bit of confidence."
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A few notes from Thursday's workouttag:taoofsteve.mlblogs.com,2010://724.14578512010-02-26T03:02:19Z2010-02-26T03:04:40ZJust a few extra notes from D-backs camp today...-- D-backs manager A.J. Hinch was impressed with what he saw out of pitchers Billy Buckner, Jordan Norberto and Kevin Mulvey while they were throwing live batting practice Thursday."Ball is coming out...goasu14http://www.mlb.com -- D-backs manager A.J. Hinch was impressed with what he saw out of pitchers Billy Buckner, Jordan Norberto and Kevin Mulvey while they were throwing live batting practice Thursday.
"Ball is coming out of his hand pretty well," Hinch said of Mulvey. "He looks like his arm is in good shape.
"Buckner and Norberto probably threw the best two live BP sessions," Hinch said.
-- Norberto also caught the eye of pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre Jr.
"Command, life, breaking ball, changeup, everything was in a tight zone," Stottlemyre said. "He has a little different look to him this year in terms of confidence."
Another young player that impressed was Bryan Shaw, a right-hander who was the club's second-round pick in the 2008 First-Year Player Draft.
"Bryan Shaw really got his lower half in control, everything was down with good life," Stottlemyre said. "It was good to see because he gets himself in trouble when he gets too quick, but we've been working on it and he carried it in today."
-- Clay Zavada threw some good curveballs during his batting practice session. His intensity during the session drew laughs from his teammates. Whether it's batting practice or not, Zavada treats every time on the mound like it's Game 7 of the World Series.
