Lovullo revisits decision that led to loss

With a night to think about it, Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo sounded like he wouldn’t set up the Jake Barrett-Nolan Arenado matchup that doomed Arizona in Monday’s 5-4 loss.

To refresh, Lovullo passed on having left-handed reliever T.J. McFarland pitch to Carlos Gonzalez, who’s hitting .200 against lefties, in order to have Barrett pitch to Arenado, who is a National League MVP candidate.

Arenado had been hitless in four atbats against Barrett, but he crushed a hanging slider over the wall in left field for a three-run homer to give the Rockies a 5-2 lead.

“You live and learn,” Lovullo said. “Those are the things that I have to sleep with at night. I felt comfortable with that matchup, but I might not feel the same about it (Tuesday) as I did (Monday).”

Delgado diagnosis confirmed

Lovullo said orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrew confirmed the initial diagnosis that reliever Randall Delgado has a flexor strain in his right elbow. Lovullo said Andrews and team doctor Gary Waslewski are working together to determine a course of action. Asked if Delgado will need surgery, Lovullo said, “I don’t think we’re to that point yet.”

Mathis optimistic

Catcher Jeff Mathis, who’s been on the disabled list since Aug. 22 with a fractured right hand, had the splint removed from his hand Monday and is hopeful he can return by the end of the regular season.

“Getting better,” Mathis said. “Still have a little ways to go with the strengthening. I think there’s a chance. I think it depends on what happens the next seven to 10 days. Seeing how it feels, seeing how quick we can get that strength back into it and go from there.”

Mathis said it’s been hard to sit out as the Diamondbacks chase a postseason berth.

“I’m champing at the bit to get out there,” he said.

To shift or not to shift

The Diamondbacks defended Rockies second baseman D.J. LeMahieu two different ways Monday. When Zack Greinke was on the mound, they played straight up in the outfield. But when Greinke left the game, they went to the super shift they utilized in Colorado, with David Peralta shifting to center, center fielder A.J. Pollock moving to right-center and right fielder J.D. Martinez moving closer to the right-field line.

Lovullo said Greinke was on board with the shift but because he was throwing the Rockies so many slow breaking balls that LeMahieu could pull, “we decided that it wouldn’t be the best strategy.”

LeMahieu still beat the shift in the eighth inning, tripling off the right field wall.