Spring notes: Torey Lovullo open to flexible lineup, Eduardo Rodriguez dominates start

SCOTTSDALE — The Arizona Diamondbacks’ lineup on Friday against the Cincinnati Reds looked awfully close to a potential regular season batting order:

2B Ketel Marte
RF Corbin Carroll
LF Lourdes Gurriel Jr.
1B Josh Naylor
3B Eugenio Suarez
C Gabriel Moreno
DH Jake McCarthy
CF Alek Thomas
SS Geraldo Perdomo

Pavin Smith came off the bench and hit a solo shot for the difference in a 2-1 win.

Manager Torey Lovullo said pregame he could be more malleable with his batting order this year.

For instance, Christian Walker was locked into the cleanup spot last season, but there could be different hitters slotted fourth depending on the circumstances going forward.

“I’m going to be flexible,” Lovullo said. “I know I mentioned that I locked Walker fourth. I might bounce guys around a little bit. I don’t know if there’s going to be one set lineup, and I’ve made that adjustment over the past eight years of being the manager here.

“I was a firm believer in one through nine, nobody moves, everybody stays the same. They’re going to be who they are. … The way I’ve learned to look at it is that other teams are adjusting lineups to have the matchup be most favorable to that offensive group playing, and with every team doing it, it can leave you feeling like you’re standing all by yourself.”

Lovullo acknowledged the team has gotten to the point in spring when fans could see potential regular season starters batting one through nine more often, pointing to Wednesday’s game after an off day as the next likely spot for it.

Marte has hit first throughout spring, although that is designed to get him his at-bats and then off his feet. He leads the club in plate appearances during Cactus League with 46.

Eduardo Rodriguez dominates spring outing

Diamondbacks left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez did not want to come off the mound against the Reds when Lovullo had to go get him.

Rodriguez had dominated 3.2 innings with no hits and six strikeouts, but Arizona needed to give its relievers reps.

“Feel like everything (worked), it’s one of those days you don’t want to come out,” Rodriguez said. “Everything I was throwing was just going right where I wanted. So just want to keep that mentality for my next game and for the season.

“Nobody wants to get off of the mound when you feel like that, but we laughed and I came out of the game because he’s the boss.”

Lovullo recognized the look on his face.

“That’s his way of saying, ‘I think you’re crazy for making this decision’ without saying a word,” Lovullo joked.

Rodriguez threw 44 pitches as he continues to build up to the regular season. He did not face the Reds’ best lineup, but his stuff was sharp. He drew seven whiffs on 10 swings using his changeup and cutter, while his velocity was slightly up across the board compared to last season.

The Diamondbacks are counting on him to bounce back after a spring training injury — which occurred nearly a year to date from Friday — knocked him out until August. He only made 10 starts in 2024.

Kendall Graveman update

Relief pitcher Kendall Graveman will participate in an “aggressive bullpen” as his next step toward entering a game. Graveman has dealt with back tightness this spring which popped back up after he threw to live hitters on Tuesday.

Lovullo did not give a specific date for Graveman’s next bullpen.

“I mentioned there was some back tightness, a little discomfort that following day after his outing, so rather than get back on the mound, they talked about a very aggressive side on the mound with no hitters,” Lovullo said.

Corbin Burnes is next

Ace starter Corbin Burnes will pitch on Saturday, his fifth outing of the spring, against the Chicago White Sox at Salt River Fields.

Related

Diamondbacks' Jordan Montgomery addresses 'bad habits' in backfields outingDiamondbacks option Jorge Barrosa, Tommy Henry in next round of roster cutsDiamondbacks LHP Blake Walston to undergo Tommy John surgeryD-backs will get new City Connect jerseys this seasonDiamondbacks can’t complete sweep of Braves, Nolan Arenado leaves game with trunk discomfortDiamondbacks call up RHP Dennis Santana, DFA LHP Philip Abner