Injuries haven’t slowed roll
SS Marte next man up with Ahmed out
Nothing so far has been able to slow down the supercharged Arizona Diamondbacks, not even the one thing that usually is always bound to stop a team dead in its tracks faster than a blown engine – injuries.
They keep happening and these Diamondbacks keep winning. They’ve been able to overcome every disabled-list move they’ve had to make, shift in and out of danger, and have managed to keep the gas pedal pushed to the floor.
When starting pitcher Shelby Miller was lost for the season due to Tommy John surgery, they called upon minor-league righthander Zack Godley, their starter Wednesday night against the visiting Cardinals, and he’s been lights-out solid.
While outfielders A.J. Pollock and Yasmany Tomas have been sidelined due to nagging leg issues, they’ve been able to easily rely on clutch-performing depth in the form of Gregor Blanco and Rey Fuentes as well as Daniel Descalso and Chris Herrmann.
And now that they’ve learned they will be without shortstop Nick Ahmed for the next two months after he suffered a fracture in his right hand upon getting hit by a pitch at Chase Field Tuesday night, the Diamondbacks don’t expect to miss a beat with newcomer Ketel Marte, whom they promoted from Triple-A Reno to provide depth and occasional spot starts.
Chris Owings will get the majority of the everyday starts at short, but in Marte, 23, who was batting .338 and leading the entire minor leagues in hits with 105, the Diamondbacks might have just brought up their next hero.
“Marte has been swinging the bat really well in Triple-A so we’ve got him and hopefully the way we’ve been playing, it’s just kind of like ‘next man up’ basically,” Owings said. “There’s a new guy every night doing it. I mean, you see Herrmann and Descalso, everybody who’s stepping in, and just kind of been falling in line and helping the team win, so hopefully Marte will fit right in.”
Acquired from the Mariners as part of the Taijuan Walker trade last November, Marte ranks among Pacific Coast League leaders in doubles (23), triples (seven), runs (62) and total bases (160).
“He’s a good player, a great all-around player,” Diamondbacks second baseman Brandon Drury said. “He’s a good teammate, too, so we’re excited to have him here and we’ve just got to keep it rolling.”
That’s what they’ve been doing with each and every injury that threatens to derail them. Maybe they’ve just been fortunate, but it’s worth wondering how much more they can take if injuries keep occurring. Drury, for one, doesn’t seem overly concerned.
“We’ve got so many great players here, that’s what we do is pick each other up,” he said. “Someone has a bad game, the next guy in line picks him up. We have such great players here, we’re able to do that. It’s just kind of in our DNA, I guess.”
Manager Torey Lovullo is keeping his fingers crossed nonetheless, even though he agrees his players have met every single challenge that has come their way.
“We’re down a lot of men, you know,” Lovullo said. “A.J. Nick. Shelby. Tomas. And I might be forgetting someone. But those are some key guys we were counting on in spring training. But what it’s done is create an opportunity for people to step in there and take their own moment and perform and we haven’t missed a beat.
“That speaks to the quality of guys we have in here and they’re not doing it alone. I think everybody knows that one person can’t replace those guys; it’s going to have to be a team effort and that’s what has really been impressive to watch from day one.”
In addition to seeing part-time action at shortstop, Lovullo said Marte will also provide some depth in the outfield as well as back-up relief at second and third base. Marte can also make an impact off the bench, particularly in pinch-hit situations as he is the only switch hitter on the 25-man active roster.
“It’s going to be a great luxury knowing if I need to go get a pinch hitter it’s going to be a simple thought,” Lovullo said. “I don’t have to find out if there’s a better match-up one way or another. It’s going to fall right in his lap. So there’s a lot of value to having that player be as versatile as he is.”
Marte, who appeared in 176 games for the Mariners, said he is willing to play anywhere he is needed and promises his bat won’t get cold if he has to bide his time on the bench.
“It’s about your mind,” he said. “I will be ready. When they name me, I will be ready. If I play, I’ll play and I’ll give my 100 percent, too. … I’m very excited to be here. We’ve got a good team. I think everybody here is together and I love everybody here. Everybody plays good here and I just want to come here to help my team to get a championship this year.”