Weaver cruises in minor-league playoff game
Any time a rehabbing major-league player laces up for a game with a minorleague affiliate, it is always a step down from what they’ve come to know in the big leagues.
But for Diamondbacks right-hander Luke Weaver on Friday, a rehab start with Single-A Visalia came about as close as one can get to MLB action.
Weaver, rehabbing a UCL strain and flexor pronator mass sprain in his right elbow, pitched two scoreless innings for the Rawhide in Game 3 of the California League championship series.
“If you’re going to send somebody down then you try to get them in an environment that’s as close as you can to the big leagues,” Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said. “And that would be a playoff game at the minor-league level.”
The Rawhide defeated the Lake Elsinore Storm, 4-3, and can claim the series with a win in Game 4 on Saturday.
Weaver, who remains on a quest to return by the end of the Diamondbacks’ season, allowed just one hit and notched a strikeout while walking none. He reportedly averaged 94 mph with his fastball. Weaver threw 28 pitches, 19 of which went for strikes.
“I know there was a little bit of nervous energy,” Lovullo said, “which told me he was ready for the challenge. Get on a bus or get on a taxi, get to the ballpark, step on the field and do the pregame routine. And then you’re in a playoff game so I think everything is elevated. I know that he was super excited about coming out on the good side of it.”
It remains to be seen whether Weaver — or fellow injured right-hander Taijuan Walker — will return by the end of the month. Entering play Saturday, the Diamondbacks had just 14 games left in the regular season.
And with their postseason odds at less than 1% per FanGraphs, October baseball at Chase Field is far from a guarantee.
Lovullo said the Diamondbacks have not yet decided whether Weaver or Walker could play in the Arizona Fall League, which begins Wednesday. This season, the Fall League has no restrictions on players eligible to participate.
“I don’t know those answers,” Lovullo said. “It’s been floated around as a possibility but I don’t know what the restrictions are.”
Although the Diamondbacks have not yet determined a next step for Weaver, Walker is scheduled to throw a bullpen on Tuesday.
Ray on the mend
Diamondbacks left-hander Robbie Ray threw a 37-pitch bullpen session on Saturday at Chase Field and “felt great,” according to Lovullo.
Lovullo said the blister issue that had been plaguing Ray is no longer a problem. Ray threw 37 pitches and featured a full arsenal, Lovullo said.
“I feel like it’s going to be a non-issue,” Lovullo said of Ray’s blister. “Obviously I was saying that last time and you saw what happened, so I’m going to be cautious with what I’m telling you guys. But I feel like after today’s bullpen and the information I got that it’s going to be a non-issue.”
Ray was forced to leave Wednesday’s game in New York after a blister caused him to pitch ineffectively against the Mets. The previous week, Ray was forced to leave a start with what was termed as a “hot finger.”
Short hops
*Double-A Jackson also has a chance to claim a championship on Saturday when they face the Biloxi Shuckers in Game 4 of the Southern League finals.
*The Diamondbacks hosted Hispanic Heritage Day on Saturday at Chase Field, giving away replica “Los D-Backs” jerseys to early arriving fans and and hosting a pregame fiesta outside the ballpark.