D-backs’ Paul Goldschmidt still out of lineup Friday vs. Padres

Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt is still absent from the lineup as his team begins a three-game set against the Padres at Chase Field.

Goldschmidt has suffered from elbow inflammation and hasn’t played in a game since Sept. 2 against the Rockies. Now, nearly a week later, the All-Star and potential National League MVP contender is still on the shelf.

Goldschmidt said before the game Friday that he told manager Torey Lovullo he could play and the elbow has been feeling better every day.

“I told ’em I feel good, just like every day, (and) said I can play and I want to play,” Goldschmidt said. “But I understand the trainers know more about this and the coaching staff, front office, all that. (I) definitely trust their opinion on it and I’ll be ready to go.”

Goldschmidt, who hadn’t performed any usual baseball activities for five days, said the protocol the team usually has under that circumstance is for the player to take batting practice and go through a regular pregame routine first rather than jumping into the game right away.

“The protocol has been where once you get to that point you functionally test it and you have an aggressive pregame, ask them to ramp it up and get as much out of it intensity wise as he possibly could and then (he will) report back to me and see how he feels,” Lovullo said before the game.

“This one I will have more of a snapshot, more color to the picture, get the feedback about his availability today and how he feels when he wakes up tomorrow morning and perhaps getting him back in the lineup as soon as possible.”

Goldschmidt did not confirm if a successful pregame routine meant he could play Saturday.

“Torey writes the lineup so I just get there and try to prepare and try to be ready.”

Arizona Sports’ own John Gambadoro reported that Goldy was expected to play Friday — a report substantiated by D-backs president and CEO Derrick Hall — but that a test on his elbow on Friday morning made Goldy a “no go.”

Tonight's #Dbacks lineup as they continue the #FightForPostseason. pic.twitter.com/ZkvNQsNTlq

— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) September 8, 2017

Goldschmidt, 29, is hitting .314 this season with 33 home runs and 109 RBI. He leads all NL first basemen in average and RBI, and is second in slugging (.597), on base percentage (.424) and OPS (1.022).

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Arizona Sports’ Craig Grialou contributed to this story.

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