Lovullo noncommittal on D-Backs’ closer, Game 1 starter,
Spring training began for the Diamondbacks on Wednesday with manager Torey Lovullo providing little in the way of answers to the club’s bigger questions entering camp. Lovullo didn’t even seem to want to offer hints on a seemingly already-resolved question.
Lovullo said he was “not going down that road” when asked about Joakim Soria’s chances of winning the closer’s job. Soria, who was signed to a $3.5 million deal earlier this month, appears to be the leading candidate to work the ninth.
Lovullo also dodged a question about the potential for competition to be the club’s Opening Day starter. Lovullo was unwilling to say whether right-hander Zac Gallen’s strong year last season made it a tough call between Gallen and Madison Bumgarner, who is coming off a down year.
“I can’t even begin to put down my thoughts about that right now,” Lovullo said. “I’ve awaited until the very end, it’s been my mind-set, (to) want to make sure we get through spring training healthy before we go down that road.”
Lovullo also was unexpectedly evasive when it came to saying Ketel Marte was likely to be the club’s primary center fielder, despite the fact that last week’s signing of Asdrubal Cabrera seemed to steer Marte more to the outfield.
That, however, could be a matter of timing. Lovullo later mentioned he had not yet spoken with Marte about his anticipated role; the manager likes to communicate directly with his players before relaying information to reporters, even when it comes to relatively obvious news. He said he will talk to Marte when he reports next week.
Testing updates
Catcher Stephen Vogt tested positive for COVID-19 during the club’s intake process, Lovullo said, adding that Vogt will be away from the team for at least 10 days.
Right-hander Luis Frias, one of the club’s better pitching prospects, also is out following a positive test, though his occurred “several days prior” to intake.
“I’ve heard that they are recovering and feeling well,” Lovullo said.
Vogt, who is slated to be the club’s backup catcher to starter Carson Kelly, is not expected to be delayed for the start of the year.
“He was in great shape prior to the test result,” Lovullo said. “I think he’ll be able to step in here comfortably and catch up and be ready.”
Lovullo said the team also is without three pitchers — right-handers Humberto Mejia, Humberto Castellanos and Carlos Nava — who are delayed as they enter from foreign countries.
No pressure
Lovullo reiterated his stance that entering the final year of his contract will not impact the way he does his job.
“My parents were very hard-working people, especially my father, and I think I just picked up that work ethic from them,” Lovullo said. “You go out there and you honor your contract and you work your butt off. I work hard to eliminate the noise.
“For me, it’s really a non-issue. What I will say is that, look, it’s a game of results and I need to be held accountable to that. I would expect that. I ask the players to be accountable.”
Lovullo said he would approach the job the same way if he were under contract for the next 10 years.
Short hop
Media was not allowed on-site at Salt River Fields as camp will remain closed until the first day of full-squad workouts, which is scheduled for Monday. Camp is closed per a league-wide edict from Major League Baseball, which cited “health and safety protocols.”