D-Backs’ Soria returns from injured list
The Arizona Diamondbacks had the National League’s second-worst bullpen earned run average going into Thursday night’s game at Miami. But they hope help has arrived with the return of veteran right-hander Joakim Soria.
With Merrill Kelly placed on the short-term injured list on May 4, Soria was activated the same day. He was out for almost a month with a left calf strain.
The Diamondbacks got Soria his first action since April 4 on Wednesday when he came on in the seventh inning of a game Arizona was already trailing 6-0 to the Miami Marlins. He allowed two runs on three hits in one inning of work, striking out one.
“I feel healthy and I’m ready to help the team in any way,” Soria said in Spanish before Thursday’s series finale against Miami. “I’ve had enough injuries throughout my career that I know well how to handle things. I feel good about
the work we did in rehabilitation with the team, and I hope things go well enough where it’s not going to happen again.”
Throughout his rehab, Soria said he could throw or pitch but early in the process could not run, and that he felt
well enough to come back as far his arm but was held back by his calf. He added, with a smile, that he might be ready to join the team’s high-energy clubhouse dance after victories.
Stefan Crichton is the Diamondbacks’ closer at present, a role at which Soria has excelled over his career, but he’s fine with wherever he is used. He acknowledged that matchups are considered more than specific inning roles in today’s game.
“The roles are the skipper’s decision,” he said. “I just want to be there for them, as much as I can, every time I can pitch, to try to be able every day to pitch. That’s what I bring to the team.”
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said he wanted to give Soria the “softest landing possible” and didn’t want him to go too long without pitching.
He was generally pleased with how Soria pitched.
“By and large, getting him back out on the bump and watching him go to work was really refreshing for every single one of us,” Lovullo said. “With each pitch that he throws and each outing that he has, he’s one outing closer to getting back into that back end (of the bullpen). We’ll get him there.”
Reactions to Pujols move
Both Soria and Lovullo were asked about the Los Angeles Angels’ decision to designate veteran slugger Albert Pujols for assignment on Thursday.
“I’m always asked who makes it the hardest for me, and it’s always been Albert Pujols. When I was in Kansas City and he was in St. Louis, I saw that he could cover the entire strike zone,” Soria said. “I don’t think it’s the end for him. I think he’ll find a team that will give him more of an opportunity to play and help him reach his goals.
“Twenty years playing in the big leagues, and he has been one of the greatest players on the field,” Soria added. “Tremendous person. I’m glad to know him ... I wish him all the best of luck.”
Lovullo said he has a lot of fond memories of what Pujols has done in the game.
He called Pujols an “unbelievable ambassador” for baseball to the Dominican Republic, where Pujols is from, and to the U.S. and to all of baseball about what it takes to be a professional.
“We’re talking about a for-sure Hall of Famer,” Lovullo said. “No matter what type of pain he was in or how his body was feeling, you just never knew it. He always gave 100 percent.”
Up next New York Mets
Mets update: The Mets are a .500 team after a win on Thursday, but they are somewhat in a state of disarray. They recently fired their hitting coaches, Chili Davis and Tom Slater, and are bracing to find out the severity of RHP Jacob deGrom’s right lat issue, which does not appear overly serious as the club is saying there is a chance he will start on Sunday vs. the Diamondbacks. SS Francisco Lindor, the Mets’ big offseason acquisition, snapped an 0 for 26 skid on Thursday and is hitting just .163. The Mets are without two of their best hitters; 3B J.D. Davis and OF Brandon Nimmo are both out with hand injuries. 1B Pete Alonso has been their best, healthy player. He is hitting .280/.370/.505 with a team-best five home runs. deGrom, a two-time Cy Young winner, has been the best pitcher in baseball thus far, posting a 0.51 ERA in five starts with four walks and 59 strikeouts in 35 innings.
Short hop
● Lovullo said he has yet to make a decision on what happens with current starting pitcher Luke Weaver (1-3) after his rough outing on Wednesday. Weaver allowed six earned runs on six hits in four innings in a loss.
● The Arizona Diamondbacks and Caesars Entertainment announced a partnership on Thursday to launch mobile sports betting in Arizona and build a sportsbook in the plaza adjacent to Chase Field. The deal grants Caesars mobile sports betting market access and exclusive sponsorship in sports betting for the Diamondbacks. The agreement is part of a multiyear deal with Major League Baseball to make Caesars on authorized gaming operator for the league.