As the Arizona Diamondbacks head over to Mesa's Sloan Park for a Cactus League game, they are suddenly beset by a slew of injuries and ailments. A shorthanded crew will take on the Cubs at 1:05 P.M. Madison Bumgarner faces Drew Smyly. The game will be broadcast on Bally Sports Arizona
As reported yesterday, Mark Melancon was expected to miss the beginning of the season. Today we gained further clarity as he was diagnosed with Sub Scapula Strain. He will be getting a Platelet-Rich Plasma injection today and Torey Lovullo said "we're talking months not weeks"
Corbin Martin exited the game last night with what looked like a serious arm injury. He was seen supporting his right arm with his left hand walking off the field. After the game Torey Lovullo said he had "shoulder discomfort". He was scheduled for a follow up MRI exam this morning and the team is still awaiting further Diagnosis.
Christian Walker was a late scratch from today's lineup against the Cubs in Mesa. He hadn't played since getting hit just above the hip by a pitch a few days ago. The team decided to hold him out an extra day.
Geraldo Perdomo and Diego Castillo collided on the first play of last nights game and both players were down for a long time before leaving the field. Perdomo was reported to have a chest contusion and Castillo neck spasms at the time. Both are out of the lineup today and are day to day. Castillo passed through concussion protocols without incident.
In a likely unrelated move, the Diamondbacks signed minor league free agent shortstop Jonathan Guzman and assigned him to the Amarillo Sod Poodles.
Lineups
Bumgarner was scheduled to pitch yesterday afternoon but the game was rained out. This is only going to be his second official Cactus League start. He will be facing most of the Cubs "A" lineup and this should be a good test of where he's at and how effective his new cutter grip is.
Brandon Pfaadt, who was scheduled to pitch last night, is listed as a scheduled pitcher today on the team's game notes, so he may possibly get some work in relief.
The D-backs lineup includes three major league roster players, (Corbin Carroll, Nick Ahmed, and Carson Kelly) and six minor leaguers or non roster invitees. Jake Hager has been getting a lot of playing time, getting into 16 games thus far. He's gone 6-26, .231, with two doubles and a homer and 4 RBI. His versatility and dependability in the field give Torey Lovullo a certain comfort level. Don't be surprised to see Hager back on the 40-man roster at some point as necessity dictates.
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