Goldy not happy sitting but sees need for rest

First baseman Paul Goldschmidt was in an unfamiliar spot Monday when the Diamondbacks opened a four-game set with the Padres at Chase Field. Out of the lineup. After starting all 20 games to date, Goldschmidt finally took a seat to snag some rest.

“Goldy needs a day off, as every player does, and he’s been playing well,” manager Torey Lovullo said. “He’s been swinging the bat very well, but I know a day off will do him some good because we need to play all the way through the end of the season at full strength.”

Lovullo picked this game five days ago, figuring it would give Goldschmidt the most amount of downtime possible during the homestand with Sunday's finale against the Dodgers a day game.

“There’s a strategy to what we do here and I believe that once it’s written down and they know, it’s not going to change the script,” Lovullo said.

Not even a home run tweaked Lovullo's plan as Goldschmidt belted a tworun homer Sunday to continue his prowess at the plate of late.

Against the Dodgers, he went 4 for 11 with six RBIs after a quiet road trip earlier this month in which he hit .152.

“He found out (Sunday) before the game,” Lovullo said. “We all know Goldy; he wasn’t very happy. But I said, ‘You can throw me up against the wall, punch me in the face, and I’m still not going to change my mind,’ and he said, ‘OK, I understand where you’re coming from.’ And he understands the reasons why.

“I try to be as transparent as I can with these players, and I think they respect that and he knows the reason why he needs a day off. He doesn’t necessarily agree with it, but he understands in the long term that it’s going to help him out.”

Herrmann at first

With Goldschmidt out, Chris Herrmann took over the duties at first base – his first major-league start there, he said.

“I got a little bit of butterflies, but I’ve been prepared for this,” he said. “In spring training, I had a lot of starts at first base so it’s not like it’s a foreign position for me. So I’m looking forward to it.”

Herrmann said he made about six or seven starts at first during spring training and also played the position in high school and a little bit in college.

Although catching is his preference, Herrmann is happy to help out in Goldschmidt's absence.

“These guys have trust in me to go out and perform at first base,” he said. “So I’m just excited for the opportunity.”

Bracho added

The Diamondbacks recalled right-hander Silvino Bracho from Triple-A Reno Monday after shifting starter Shelby Miller to the 10day disabled list with right elbow inflammation.

Bracho was optioned to Reno March 31 after losing his bid for the final spot in the bullpen to lefty Andrew Chafin, and he continued to impress after a solid audition in spring training.

In six appearances amid 6 2/3 innings with Reno, Bracho was 0-1 with two saves while posting a 0.00 ERA.

He struck out 12 and walked just one.