Banda to start vs. Twins on Sunday
HOUSTON – With lefty Robbie Ray set to make a rehab start on Thursday, the Diamondbacks will keep left-hander Anthony Banda in the rotation for the time being. He’ll face the Twins on Sunday in Minneapolis, manager Torey Lovullo said.
Banda has been roughed up in each of his past two starts, most recently against the Astros, who scored eight runs off him in four innings at Chase Field on Tuesday. Prior to that, he allowed three runs in four innings against the Dodgers.
Ray threw four innings and about 50 pitches in a simulated game on Saturday. Lovullo said Ray will increase the workload to five innings and 75 pitches when he pitches for High-A Visalia on Thursday night.
That means, as Lovullo noted, the earliest Ray could return is Tuesday in New York.
“We’re going to see how Robbie throws tomorrow and come up with an entire game plan,” Lovullo said. “We’re hoping that it goes well.”
Peralta expected back Thursday
Left fielder David Peralta, who has missed the past two games following the birth of he and his wife’s first child, a daughter named Sofia, is likely to return to the active roster on Thursday, Lovullo said.
Peralta is expected to fly to Houston on Wednesday evening and could be back in the lineup for Thursday afternoon’s series finale.
“I would like to have him play as soon as possible,” Lovullo said. “I’m sure I’ll talk to him at some point during the day today and see how he’s doing physically and emotionally.
“I know he was a little sleep deprived. Hopefully, he’s caught up in that area. Emotionally, he’s probably riding a little high knowing what happened. I think each case is different, so that’s why I want to talk to him and see how he’s feeling.”
Short hops
As expected, Goldschmidt got the start at designated hitter, a sort of half day off for the Diamondbacks’ slugging first baseman. But Goldschmidt said he’s learned over the years not to take these days too lightly. “I’ve (started at DH) a couple of times every year,” Goldschmidt said. “I did it in the minor leagues. I remember in the minor leagues the tendency was you shut down and take it as an off day. I don’t want to fall into that trap.”
» Right-hander Silvino Bracho threw two scoreless innings in relief on Tuesday, his first outing in what is his seventh stint with the big-league club. “When you’re in that kind of situation, you have to keep your mind strong,” he said of being sent down. “I’ve just tried, when they give me the opportunity, to do my best and prove that I’m ready and that I can help the team in whatever situation.” He has allowed just one run in his past 10 innings in the majors.
» Before batting practice, Goldschmidt was presented with the Houstonarea Player of the Year award, presented by the Houston chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America.