D-backs’ Souza exits Cactus League game after straining right shoulder

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – With Opening Day just eight days away, the Arizona Diamondbacks had a key piece exit Wednesday’s Cactus League game against the San Francisco Giants due to an injury.

Right fielder Steven Souza Jr. was removed from the game at Salt River Fields after hurting his right shoulder. Souza will have an MRI Thursday morning.

“He’s got a right shoulder strain. He’s going to go for an MRI tomorrow morning and that’s all I know,” manager Torey Lovullo said, following the 14-0 loss in front of a sold-out crowd of 12,888.

With two outs in the fourth inning, Souza made a diving attempt at a line drive off the bat of Giants first baseman Brandon Belt. As the ball bounced to the wall for a double, Souza remained face-first on the ground. Center fielder Jarrod Dyson immediately signaled for help. Lovullo and a member of the D-backs training staff raced out of the dugout to check on Souza, who by then had rolled on to his back.

After a few moments, Souza walked off the field and into the clubhouse holding his arm.

“I wish I could give you guys a bunch of details, but nothing is known right now. There’s zero information. We’ll collect all that tomorrow,” said Lovullo, who called it a “no-brainer” to remove Souza from the game.

“I thought it was a great jump by a right fielder that was trying to make a play and get us out of a situation and that’s exactly who Steven Souza is,” Lovullo continued. “He dove, he laid out. I didn’t have the chance to watch the play, but it seemed like he was very close to the ball. He was closing on it quickly. You expect him to get up from those things and when he doesn’t, you kind of hold your breath…you worry when you run out there.

“My impression was that it was a gamer going after the ball, trying to make a play.”

Chris Owings, who started the game at shortstop, replaced Souza, marking Owings’ first outfield action this spring, while Kristopher Negron entered the game to fill Owings’ spot.

Souza was acquired by the D-backs from Tampa Bay as part of a three-team trade on Feb. 20.

With Souza in the fold, the D-backs were expected to pair him with left fielder David Peralta and center fielder A.J. Pollock to form their starting outfield.

Dyson now would appear to be the most logical candidate to step in for Souza for however much time Souza will miss. Though primarily a center fielder, Dyson does have experience at both the corner outfield positions: 43 career starts in left field and 36 in right field.

Owings and Chris Herrmann, who is currently in a battle to be the team’s No. 3 catcher should the D-backs choose to keep three catchers, are options as well. Rey Fuentes and Yasmany Tomas, a starter last season until getting hurt, also remain in camp.

“Worst-case scenario, we’re built for this. The depth that we have, the work that the front office has done, we’re built for moments like this,” Lovullo said. “So, we’ll figure it out once we get some details and try to take the best path.”

 

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