D-Backs broadcasters out after positive COVID tests
The Diamondbacks regular television broadcasters were out of action for the second consecutive day on Saturday evening, forced out following positive COVID-19 tests.
A member of the team’s broadcast production crew tested positive upon the Diamondbacks return to Arizona from a week-long trip to New York and Washington. That prompted mandatory testing for those deemed close contacts, and those subsequent tests turned up two more positive cases.
Play-by-play man Steve Berthiaume and analyst Bob Brenly were replaced in the television booth by the team’s regular radio team of Greg Schulte and Tom Candiotti. Chris Garagiola, the club’s radio pregame and postgame show host, called the game in Schulte’s place on the radio.
“Luckily, we have some depth,” said Scott Geyer, the Diamondbacks’ vice president of broadcasting. “It’s kind of a day-to-day situation.”
The broadcasters are a part of the Diamondbacks’ traveling party, riding on the same planes and buses as the players, coaches and support staff.
It is not clear if other members of the club’s traveling party also tested positive, though at least one staff member was seen wearing a mask outdoors, an indication that he was considered a close contact.
A team spokesman would not say whether non-broadcasters were caught up in COVID protocols.
Players and staff members who test positive generally are required to miss 10 days but can return earlier with two negative PCR tests and clearance from the league’s Joint Committee. It is not clear if broadcasters fall under the same protocols; a league spokesman was not able to provide an answer.
Poppen to IL
Right-hander Sean Poppen, who had quickly established himself as a trusted reliever for manager Torey Lovullo, landed on the injured list on Saturday with right shoulder inflammation. The club recalled right-hander Corbin Martin, who had been optioned to Triple-A Reno just two days earlier.
Poppen was getting warm on Friday night when he felt irritation in his shoulder, Lovullo said.
“Upon examination,” Lovullo said, “it was determined he’s going to need a little bit of a blow.”
Poppen, whom the club claimed off
waivers last season from the Tampa Bay Rays, has allowed just one run in six innings this season. He had pitched in five of the team’s 12 games entering Friday night.
Short hops
Shortstop Nick Ahmed, who returned from the injured list on Friday, received a scheduled day off on Saturday, Lovullo said, adding that Ahmed had been fairly regularly for about a week as he worked to get back to full health. “I’ve got to be mindful of his workload,” Lovullo said. “I don’t want to see him take any steps backwards; he’s too important to what we need to do defensively.”
*Outfielder Jordan Luplow, who continues to inch closer to a return from a right oblique strain, played seven innings in the field and racked up “six or seven” at-bats at Salt River Fields on Saturday, Lovullo said. “He came through that real good,” Lovullo said. Luplow played center field on Saturday, and Lovullo said Luplow could “potentially” get starts in center field once he is healthy.
*Infielder Josh Rojas will get at-bats against live pitching on Monday, the latest step in what could be an ahead-ofschedule return from a right oblique strain.
*The Diamondbacks traded outfielder Stuart Fairchild to the Seattle Mariners for cash considerations. Fairchild had been designated for assignment on Tuesday to clear a roster spot for righthander Jacob Webb, a reliever whom the Diamondbacks claimed off waivers from the Atlanta Braves.