Corbin Carroll and Jordan Montgomery returns imminent, weather permitting

SCOTTSDALE — The Arizona Diamondbacks could get outfielder Corbin Carroll and starting pitcher Jordan Montgomery back as soon as Friday, weather permitting.

Carroll has been held out of games this week after exiting Sunday with lower back tightness, and he will rejoin the lineup on either Friday or Saturday, manager Torey Lovullo said.

“He’s feeling very good,” Lovullo said on Thursday. “He said he took some swings in the batting cage. Felt real good. He was going to go around the bases, which he did for a couple of batters and then went out to the outfield to shag.”

Montgomery is scheduled to make his Cactus League debut on Friday against the Los Angeles Angels at Tempe Diablo Stadium if the weather holds up. There are strong chances for rain throughout the morning in Tempe, and showers could last into the afternoon, according to The Weather Channel.

Lovullo spent much of Thursday planning contingency plans in case of rain.

Montgomery’s spring started on a delay due to a left index finger strain. Lovullo maintains the belief that Montgomery will be ready for the start of the regular season.

“I think so. I think the build up would be normal,” Lovullo said. “It would be a full, normal workup without missed time. So, yeah, I think he could get into that space for sure.”

The Diamondbacks have tough decisions to make with regards to their starting rotation, and Montgomery is last on the list of arms to pitch in a spring game. The otherwise steady veteran is looking for a bounce-back season after a dreadful 6.23 ERA in 2024.

“I’m encouraged by what we’ve seen so far as bullpens have been good,” Lovullo said. “His feedback regarding his health has been great. I’m just excited for him.”

Zac Gallen will get the start, his third of the spring, and Montgomery will enter in relief. A.J. Puk, Kevin Ginkel, Joe Mantiply, Justin Martinez and Shelby Miller are also scheduled to pitch.

The D-backs will then split up over the weekend with a group heading to Las Vegas for a couple exhibition games against the Athletics. Josh Naylor, Ketel Marte, Geraldo Perdomo and Jake McCarthy are among those set to make the trip.

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