Diamondbacks at Rangers Pregame — May 2, 2023

Diamondbacks catchers taking instruction before their game with the Rangers.

Photo by Evan Thompson/Sport Relay

May 2, 2023

Diamondbacks at Rangers Pregame — May 2, 2023

ARLINGTON, Tex. (May 2) — It is Game One of a two-game set between the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks and the host Texas Rangers, which is the fourth game of a five-game road trip for the Diamondbacks. For the Rangers, it is the fifth game of a six-game homestand. Zac Gallen will start for the Diamondbacks against Jon Gray of the Rangers in a battle of right-handers. Prior to the game, Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo met with media on hand. Here are the highlights of his conference.

Diamondbacks Manager Torey Lovullo

Corbin Carroll, who bruised his knee leaping into the wall to attempt a catch Saturday night against the Colorado Rockies, had imaging yesterday. Lovullo said they’re still “looking for some results” and some “final thoughts” of his status. However, Lovullo also said “everything seems to be in a good spot, so we’re just taking it very cautiously.” Lovullo “had a couple of conversations with him today,” and Carroll is feeling “much better.” Until the evaluation arrives, Lovullo said he will “remain optimistic,” and once the team has the evaluation, they will “start to move forward any direction we need to.”

Lovullo later clarified that he is still waiting for a final diagnosis. He added that he didn’t want to give “scattered thoughts,” saying, “I think it’s best that I get the Full Monty and then be able to present it to you guys.” He did say that he felt like the team has ruled out the worst-case scenario, but it’s “very obviously a conservative evaluation up to this point. It just needs to take a little bit of time. There’s still some soreness in there that’s getting worked out. But he feels good. So before we rush to put him on the field, we just want to make sure that everything has been diagnosed and he feels right.”

Return-to-play for Carroll

Lovullo continued, “What we want to do is get him on the field, have him have a good work day, and then the next day, you’ll see him in the lineup.” That will be a cue to everyone, according to Lovullo.

It is too early to say whether Carroll will require a stint on the injured list. “If you’re asking me,” Lovullo said, “yes. But I’m not the one making this decision. I think it’s trending in a very positive direction. There was a big impact in that area. He is still not 100%, so anything is possible. Lovullo confirmed that it’s probably not a surgical thing, probably not a month-to-month thing, but more of a days or weeks thing. “It’s still day-to-day,” he added. When asked if Carroll would be available Tuesday in an emergency, Lovullo said, “He could be. But we still have to find out how he’s feeling through the course of the day.”

Starter for Wednesday…

Brandon Pfaadt will start pitching Wednesday, as many have suspected. It will be his major league debut.

“We’re all really excited about that for him and this opportunity,” Lovullo smiled. “He’s worked hard to make it happen. And we know that he’s been on the come for a long time. But that’s come from a lot of great instruction in player development. It’s come from the trust in the ability to go out there and execute. And we’ll see it come out tomorrow. We’re all excited about it.”

Pfaadt is not on the 40-man roster yet. Since it is full, someone will have to be designated for assignment before Wednesday’s game.

Main Photo Credits:

ARLINGTON, Tex. (May 2) — Arizona Diamondbacks bench coach Jeff Banister (in cage, facing camera) gives instruction to Gabriel Moreno as Jose Herrera (left, squatting) and Mike Fetters (right) look on prior to their team’s game against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field. (Photo by Evan Thompson/Sport Relay)