Diamondbacks vs Giants Pregame — May 13, 2023

Evan Longoria of the Diamondbacks chatting with Wilmer Flores of the Giants prior to a game between the two teams.

Photo by Evan Thompson/Sport Relay

May 13, 2023

Diamondbacks vs Giants Pregame — May 13, 2023

PHOENIX, May 13 — It is Game Three of a four-game set between the host Arizona Diamondbacks and the visiting San Francisco Giants, which is the ninth game of a ten-game homestand for the Diamondbacks. For the Giants, this is the only stop on their road trip. Right-hander Zac Gallen (5–1, 2.36 ERA) will start for the Diamondbacks against Giants righty Anthony DeSclafani (3–2, 2.80 ERA). Prior to the game, Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo met with the media on hand. Here are the highlights.

Diamondbacks Manager Torey Lovullo

Lovullo missed Friday night’s game so he could attend his son’s graduation ceremony at Northern Arizona University. Bench coach Jeff Banister managed in Lovullo’s absence. Lovullo could not watch the game but streamed the game ticker on his phone. He and Banister have discussed the game and decisions Banister had to make. “He had a good reason for everything he did. He’s got good instincts. Won the game, that’s the bottom line.”

Lovullo had not yet discussed Christian Walker’s Friday ejection with him, but they did text Friday night. Lovullo sent the first text shortly after the ejection occurred. “I was proud of him. He didn’t get back to me until after the game, so he was following MLB Guidelines,” Lovullo smiled. Lovullo said he has not seen the video but knows Walker was “a little bit frustrated” about it. “We’ve got to move forward,” Lovullo concluded.

The way Banister used the relievers last night made it where the team is “fine” for tonight’s game bullpen-wise. Kevin Ginkel was used for length (2 2/3 innings) in Wednesday’s finale with the Miami Marlins, but that does not mean he’ll become a full-time long man. “We feel like there’s a little bit of a buildup there that (will allow him) to give us two innings.”

Injury Updates

Zach Davies is “progressing very well” and “is feeling very, very good.” He will throw another bullpen session either Sunday or Monday. His catch partner, Carson Kelly, said Davies’ last outing showed “good stuff that was coming out really, really well.”

Kelly is “picking up a bat and taking some light swings” on some “underhand flips in the cage.” He is “resuming more and more baseball activities.”

Kyle Lewis will get at-bats Saturday. He had five at-bats Thursday and will get three to five Saturday. Lovullo still is not at liberty to specifically say what Lewis’ malady is, other than “he had an infection” and that it was a virus. He is “progressing well and building up strength and stamina.” If Lovullo were to bet on who would return first, between Lewis and Kelly, he would bet on Lewis.

Opposing Pitcher

When asked about Anthony DeSclafani, Lovullo sighed and said, “Ohhhhhh man.” After a few seconds to think, he exhaled and continued, “He’s been on an unbelievable run. In Cincinnati, I thought he was continuing to develop and show some really good qualities. Maybe a little mixed bag of success. But he’s put everything together since getting to San Francisco. It’s an aggressive fastball; he can spot it up. And he follows the game plan. He reminds me a little bit of Zach Gallen. He’s able to command the baseball and command different pitches.”

Main Photo Credits:

PHOENIX (May 13) — Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Evan Longoria (left) chats with San Francisco Giants infielder Wilmer Flores prior to Saturday night’s game at Chase Field. The two were teammates with the Giants from 2020 to 2022. (Photo by Evan Thompson/Sport Relay)