Diamondbacks notes: Shelby Miller to get 2nd opinion on forearm injury

ANAHEIM — Arizona Diamondbacks reliever Shelby Miller is going to get a second opinion from orthopedic surgeon Dr. Keith Meister after receiving MRI results for his right forearm strain.

Miller went on the injured list on Monday, and what comes next — coming back and pitching or having surgery — is to be determined.

“They’re gonna give him the information and then let him figure out what the next course of action is.. … The right flexor mass, flexor tendon and then the UCL, I think they’re gonna do a whole workup and make sure that it’s all stable and in a good spot,” manager Torey Lovullo said on Friday before first pitch against the Los Angeles Angels.

Miller has a 1.98 ERA and 10 saves this season, his second stint with the D-backs. He underwent Tommy John surgery when he played for the Diamondbacks in 2017.

Arizona has already lost high-leverage arms Justin Martinez and A.J. Puk to elbow surgeries. Meister performed Martinez’s procedure.

Kyle Backhus confident in rookie campaign

Rookie southpaw Kyle Backhus has become a counted on reliever on accord of numerous injuries in Arizona’s bullpen and his performance since getting called up.

Backhus entered Friday with 10 MLB appearances, throwing 9.2 innings with two earned runs and 10 strikeouts.

Left-hander Jalen Beeks landed on the IL on Friday with lower back inflammation, so Backhus’ importance as the higher leverage lefty has elevated.

“Down in the minor leagues, I got thrown into every situation you could think of, so I think that prepared me,” Backhus told Arizona Sports.

“I’m 27, so a little bit older than a younger rookie that would come in. Obviously this is a bigger stage, so I haven’t been thrown in the fire as much, but having some of those guys down in the pen like Beeks and Miller and (Ryan) Thompson, (Anthony DeSclafani), those kind of guys, it’s helped me a lot leaning on them a little bit.”

The best piece of advice he’s received so far?

“Big league hitters are big league hitters for a reason, but we’re also big league pitchers for a reason,” Backhus said. “Pretty much just pitching my game and being me.”

Who will start out of the break?

The Diamondbacks have been discussing their pitching strategy out of the All-Star break. Sunday is the final game of the unofficial “first half,” followed by four days off. The D-backs will return to action on Friday, July 18, after voluntary workouts on Thursday.

Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly are pitching on Saturday and Sunday, respectively, and the days off allow the D-backs to reset their rotation how they see fit. They come out of the break with a three-game series against the St. Louis Cardinals, who are contending in the NL Wild Card race.

“I think what we do is we build it out like, who’s the best matchup coming out?” Lovullo said. “Where does it sit best for each guy? So we’ll build it out probably seven, 10 days. We’ve been chucking that around a little bit. …

“I think rest is real important. I think that will be a high priority. I don’t want to full throttle anybody out of the break. I want to give them some rest coming out of it. So if Merrill throws on Sunday, what does that mean? Coming out on Friday or Saturday? I’m not sure. With everything that’s been going on with us, we gotta be super careful with our arms.”

Off day for Corbin Carroll

All-Star outfielder Corbin Carroll was out of Friday’s lineup at Angel Stadium to recharge.

He had played six straight games since pushing to come off the injured list quicker than expected after suffering a fractured wrist.

“I just said, ‘Look, I’d like to give you a day off tomorrow. How do you feel about it?'” Lovullo said. “He’s like, ‘I could actually use a day off tomorrow.’ He would’ve never asked for it.”

Ketel Marte, who is nursing a sore groin, was inserted as the designated hitter with Blaze Alexander at second base.

Where to watch Diamondbacks-Angels

Friday’s game is on Apple TV+. A subscription is required to view the game, although there is a free trial option.

Wayne Randazzo (play-by-play), Dontrelle Willis (analyst) and Heidi Watney (sideline reporter) are on the call.

First pitch is at 6:38 p.m. MST.

You can catch the radio broadcast on 98.7 and the Arizona Sports app. 

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