Diamondbacks' Ryne Nelson: Hit hard in no-decision
Rotowire
Nelson came away with a no-decision in Saturday's 5-4 extra-innings loss to the Orioles, giving up three runs on 10 hits over 4.2 innings. He struck out three without walking a batter.
Half of the hits off Nelson went for extra bases, including a pair of doubles plus a triple by Ryan Mountcastle and a solo homer by Gunnar Henderson. Nelson has lasted past five innings only once in six starts this season, and he'll carry a 5.33 ERA, 1.70 WHIP and 19:6 K:BB through 25.1 innings into his next outing, which lines up to come at home next weekend against the Tigers.
Diamondbacks' Ketel Marte: Starting at DH amid stiffness
Rotowire
Marte is starting at designated hitter Saturday for the second day in a row due to his body feeling a little stiff, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.
He socked his eighth home run of the season Friday to extend his hit streak to 11 games. Marte should return to the keystone once he feels right. Blaze Alexander has started each of the last two games at second base.
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Diamondbacks' Ketel Marte: Swats eighth homer
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Marte went 1-for-5 with a solo home run in Friday's 4-2 loss to the Orioles.
He took Cole Irvin deep in the third inning, giving Marte his eighth homer of the season and third in the last five games. The 30-year-old second baseman also extended his hitting streak to 11 games with the solo shot, but he's batting just .261 (12-for-46) during that stretch as he's managed only one multi-hit performance.
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Diamondbacks' Brandon Pfaadt: Stuck with loss in quality start
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Pfaadt (1-3) took the loss Friday as the Diamondbacks fell 4-2 to the Orioles, giving up three runs on five hits and two walks over six innings. He failed to strikeout a batter.
The 25-year-old right-hander produced his third straight quality start and fourth of the season on 88 pitches (56 strikes), but Pfaadt generated only six swinging strikes as he came up empty in the strikeout department for the first time in 26 big-league starts -- in fact, he'd never fanned fewer than three batters in an outing before Friday. Pfaadt will take a 4.60 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 42:8 K:BB through 47 innings into his next start, which lines up to come at home next week against the Reds.
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Diamondbacks' Eduardo Rodriguez: Resumes throwing
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Rodriguez (shoulder) began a throwing program out to 45 feet Friday, the Associated Press reports.
A recent MRI on the shoulder showed positive results, and Rodriguez resumed throwing again. The left-hander was on a throwing program in early April but had it paused when he felt discomfort during a bullpen session April 9. Shortly thereafter he was moved to the 60-day injured list.
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Diamondbacks' Alek Thomas: Seeking opinions on MRI
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Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said Thomas (hamstring) will seek a second and third opinion on his MRI results, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.
Thomas underwent an MRI earlier this week after feeling discomfort during a rehab game Sunday. The next steps for the outfielder should be determined after additional doctors weigh in.
Thompson allowed one hit and permitted two inherited runners to score over a scoreless third of an inning Thursday, getting charged with a blown save in a 5-4 win over the Reds.
Thompson was called on in a high-leverage spot in the bottom of the seventh inning and lost a battle with Spencer Steer, who fouled off a couple two-strike pitches before delivering a two-run single that knotted the game at 4-4. The blown save was the first of the season for Thompson, who has emerged as a trusted late-game arm for manager Torey Lovullo. The right-hander has a 1.20 ERA and 0.80 WHIP while striking out 11 over 15 innings, recording six holds in 15 appearances.
Alexander started at shortstop, batted ninth and went 0-for-2 with a walk in Thursday's 5-4 win over Cincinnati.
Alexander made his first start in four games, as suspect defense kept his potentially productive bat (.845 OPS, .194 ISO) out of the lineup in favor of Kevin Newman (.525, .125). Alexander has cooled down recently at the plate, as the rookie is 1-for-13 over the last seven contests.
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Diamondbacks' Corbin Carroll: Delivers winning run
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Carroll went 1-for-4 with a walk and an RBI in Thursday's 5-4 win over the Reds.
Carroll delivered the go-ahead run on a two-out single in the top of the eighth inning, a half inning after the Reds plated three runs to tie the game. The outfielder returned to the top of the order this week after a season-opening slump dropped him to the lower third in late April. He's worked through the slow start, which he attributed to a flat swing, per Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports. Carroll has a pop-up rate of 15.2 percent on the season, more than double than what it was in 2023 (7.3 percent).
Cecconi did not factor into the decision Thursday against the Reds, allowing one run on three hits and three walks over 5.1 innings. He struck out two.
Cecconi was sharp Thursday, blanking the Reds until Jeimer Candelario's solo home run in the fifth inning. It was a nice bounce-back outing from the 24-year-old right-hander after he gave up six runs in 4.1 innings during a loss to San Diego in his previous outing. Overall, Cecconi is 1-2 with a 4.15 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 17:6 K:BB through his first four starts (21.2 innings). He figures to remain in the rotation while Merrill Kelly (shoulder) and Eduardo Rodriguez (shoulder) are sidelined. Cecconi's currently in line for a home rematch with the Reds in his next outing.
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Diamondbacks' Joc Pederson: Homer, stolen base in win
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Pederson went 3-for-5 with a solo home run, a stolen base and an additional run scored in Thursday's 5-4 win over Cincinnati.
Pederson opened the scoring with a solo shot off Hunter Greene in the first inning, his fourth long ball of the year. Pederson had gone just 2-for-15 in four games coming into Thursday's contest. He's still slashing a solid .302/.415/.535 with 15 runs scored and eight RBI through 33 games this season as Arizona's primary DH against right-handed pitching.
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Diamondbacks' Paul Sewald: Nails down first save
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Sewald earned the save in Thursday's 5-4 win over the Reds, striking out two in a perfect ninth inning.
After allowing a home run to Tyler Stephenson in his season debut Tuesday, Sewald looked much better in his first save chance Thursday, striking out Will Benson and Stephenson to close out the one-run victory. The 33-year-old Sewald is expected to step back in as Arizona's primary closer after missing the first month of the season with an oblique injury. He recorded 34 saves last year while pitching to a 3.12 ERA in 60.2 innings between Arizona and Seattle.
Rodriguez is close to being able to begin a throwing program after an MRI on Wednesday showed healing in his left shoulder, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.
Rodriguez has been sidelined all season and had to be shut down from throwing in mid-April after he felt renewed tightness in his shoulder. However, it appears the recent period of rest did him some good, and he's almost ready to ramp things back up again. The left-hander is still likely at least a month or so away from being able to join the Diamondbacks' rotation.
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Diamondbacks' Joe Mantiply: Nabs first save of 2024
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Mantiply struck out one in a scoreless two-thirds of an inning to record his first save of the season in Wednesday's 4-3 win over the Reds.
With Paul Sewald unavailable after making his season debut Tuesday and Kevin Ginkel struggling to shut the door in the ninth inning, Mantiply got the call and fanned Will Benson before getting Jonathan India to fly out with the winning run on second base for Cincy. Sewald will be the top option for saves in the Arizona bullpen, but as the team's top lefty reliever, Mantiply could see further situational chances. He's been reasonably effective this season, posting a 3.52 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 13:6 K:BB through 15.1 innings.
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Diamondbacks' Jordan Montgomery: Solid in second win
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Montgomery (2-2) picked up the win Wednesday, allowing two runs on seven hits and two walks over seven innings in a 4-3 victory over the Reds. He struck out two.
While he again wasn't dominant, Montgomery worked seven frames for the second time in four starts since joining the Arizona rotation and delivered his third quality start. The veteran southpaw will take a 4.70 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 10:6 K:BB through 23 innings into his next outing, which lines up for a home rematch with Cincinnati early next week.
