ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

Arizona Diamondbacks’ Aaron Hill: There’s no issue with hand

Jan 30, 2014, 8:07 PM | Updated: 8:07 pm

Follow @CraigAZSports...

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — If he’s able to grip a golf club, Diamondbacks second baseman Aaron Hill certainly should have no problems squeezing a baseball bat.

And, he hasn’t.

Speaking this week at the Waste Management Phoenix Open Annexus Pro-Am, Hill said his left hand, which he broke early last season, feels great.

“I’m sure (the Diamondbacks and doctors will) want to take a CT scan or something before we get started (in spring training), but there’s no issues,” he said. “I’m not thinking about it. I’m not worried about it at all.”

Hill missed 62 games after getting hit by a pitch April 9 against the Pittsburgh Pirates. He made two more appearances, pinch-hitting on back-to-back days April 13-14 against the Los Angeles Dodgers, before he was placed on the 15-day disabled list.

Hill was diagnosed with a nonunion fracture in his hand, an injury that was slow to heal and ultimately sidelined him for 10 weeks.

The long layoff limited him to 87 games — the fewest he’s played since 2008; yet he still managed to hit .291 with 11 home runs (tied for third-most on the team) and 41 RBI.

Hill’s numbers will most definitely improve this season, obviously if he stays healthy; but also because of the potential of hitting behind Mark Trumbo, whom the Diamondbacks acquired from the Angels in the offseason.

“I think it was a huge move with Trumbo,” said Hill, who batted .302 with six home runs and 21 RBI over the final 44 games. “You know, guys are always going to be critics on whatever anyone does as far as the front office, but I think it was a great move. He’s a great power bat that’s going to give a lot of support to Goldy (Paul Goldschmidt) and let Goldy just do what he did last year and just be himself.”

The extended break last season has left Hill anxious to get this season underway.

Diamondbacks pitchers and catchers report next Thursday, with position players reporting five days later.

“It’s crazy how fast (the offseason) goes every year,” he said. “Obviously with the week or two early this year with the Australia trip, there’s a lot of guys showing up (at Salt River Fields). It always starts to get more and more exciting when you see the guys showing up. You start getting that feel back again. It’s already a great feeling in the locker room. The guys are looking forward to get going.”

Hill and the Diamondbacks will officially open the 2014 season with two games against their NL West rivals, the Dodgers, March 22-23 in Australia.

“It’s going to be great,” he said. “It’s going to be a long six, seven days, but — I wish we had more time to go experience what Australia is about over there, but it’s a business trip. We’re there to start 2-0 and (starts laughing) walk away with no brawls (laughs some more).”

Arizona Diamondbacks

Blake Snell...

Associated Press

Blake Snell and San Francisco Giants agree to $62 million, 2-year contract, AP source says

Two-time Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell and the San Francisco Giants have agreed to a $62 million, two-year contract.

6 hours ago

Zac Gallen...

Damon Allred

Diamondbacks ace Zac Gallen named Opening Day starter

The Arizona Diamondbacks named Zac Gallen the starter for Opening Day on March 28 when the Colorado Rockies come to Chase Field.

8 hours ago

Merrill Kelly...

Alex Weiner

Diamondbacks’ Merrill Kelly, Zac Gallen building strong outings with Opening Day near

Diamondbacks starter Merrill Kelly followed Zac Gallen's scoreless outing Sunday with one of his own Monday against the Athletics.

9 hours ago

Alek Thomas, Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder...

Kevin Zimmerman

D-backs’ Alek Thomas found confidence with just 2 swings in 2023 playoffs

Two Alek Thomas home runs during the 2023 playoff run for the Arizona Diamondbacks helped build his confidence. You can guess one of them.

12 hours ago

Alek Thomas...

Alex Weiner

NL West preview: Where do the Diamondbacks fit in a new-look division?

No division was more prevalent in the news cycle than the NL West. Here's a preview of the Dodgers, D-backs, Giants, Padres and Giants.

16 hours ago

Corbin Martin...

Alex Weiner

Diamondbacks option RHPs Corbin Martin, Slade Cecconi in final week of spring training

The Diamondbacks continued to clear up roster battles by optioning pitchers Corbin Martin, Slade Cecconi and Blake Walston Triple-A.

17 hours ago

Arizona Diamondbacks’ Aaron Hill: There’s no issue with hand