D-backs’ Lovullo, Bradley have one-on-one discussion regarding role
Sep 8, 2018, 4:55 PM | Updated: Sep 9, 2018, 12:01 am
Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Archie Bradley pauses on the mound after giving up a ball to allow a Washington Nationals run to score during the eighth inning of a baseball game Thursday, May 10, 2018, in Phoenix. The Nationals defeated the Diamondbacks 2-1. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Coming off reliever Archie Bradley’s poor outing Friday, the pitcher and Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo had a one-on-one discussion prior to the game against the Atlanta Braves on Saturday.
“We’re trying to figure out what’s best for every player on this team and Archie’s not excluded from any conversations that we have,” Lovullo said before the game when asked if he had a chance to speak with the pitcher yet. “It’s not a mystery things haven’t been going great for him for past several outings.
“It’s part of the game. Teams have made adjustments to him and it’s time for him to make an adjustment to this league.”
Lovullo said he and Bradley would discuss where the struggling pitcher is at and what the next step is moving forward.
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He provided updates after the game.
“We had a couple of down pitchers today and one of them was Archie,” Lovullo said. “My conversation went very well with him. I just wanted to make sure his head was in the right place and he was preparing to go out and do what he does best.”
Although Bradley was credited with the hold Friday night, his outing was far from ideal. Entering the eighth inning with the lead, the pitcher allowed four hits and two earned runs in 0.1 IP.
“In true Archie form he said he’s been making some mistakes, he needs to make some adjustments and he’s going to go out there and grow and learn and be ready for the next opportunity,” Lovullo said.
On the season, Bradley has a 3.78 ERA in 68 games played with three saves and 67 strikeouts.
And while his numbers aren’t mirror images of his 2017 work, Lovullo’s confidence in the reliever hasn’t wavered.
“Archie is going to get the baseball, we’re going to need him to get the baseball,” Lovullo said prior to the game Saturday. “I believe in Archie and we’re going to need him have these expectations about going out there and getting the job done.”
