Souza Jr. and Lamb on the mend, working on return to D-backs lineup

Outfielder Steven Souza Jr. and third baseman Jake Lamb both batted five times in an extended spring training game on Saturday, Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo told the media.

Lamb was expected to join the team on its upcoming road trip beginning on Tuesday against Philadelphia, but is dealing with tendinitis in his right elbow and will not be with the team on the upcoming road trip, according to Lovullo.

He will be re-evaluated on Wednesday.

Souza, an offseason acquisition from Tampa Bay who was injured with a pectoral strain diving for a ball in March, should be starting a throwing program soon, according to Lovullo.

Throwing has been the biggest obstacle on Souza’s road to recovery since appearing at the plate in extended spring training games over the last two weeks. 

The D-backs also received good news regarding two other outfielders. A.J. Pollock and Chris Owings are returning to the lineup after one-game absences following a collision in right-center field on Thursday.

While the offense appears to be returning to full strength, the pitching staff is dealing with a hole in the rotation due to a partial tear in starter Taijuan Walker’s UCL.

On Friday, Matt Koch staked his claim for the spot giving up one run on two hits and two walks over six innings.

Although Koch didn’t get the win, he may have earned himself that open spot on the staff.

Asked after the game on Friday whether Koch deserved another start, manager Torey Lovullo smiled.

“We’re going to probably go in and talk about it right now,” he said. “Certainly my vote will be yes based on what I saw. He attacked the zone and did a great job.”

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