Diamondbacks infielder describes what it means to start All-Star Game
Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte explains what it means for him to be voted in as a 2025 All-Star Game starter at second base.
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo did not say what day right fielder Corbin Carroll would return from the injured list, but he said he would not be surprised if it were sometime this weekend.
“I’m very encouraged,” Lovullo said. “It seems to me … that his return is imminent. What day is it? I don’t know. It’s closing in real quick.”
Speaking Friday afternoon, July 4, Lovullo said that Carroll would not be active for the first game of a three-game series with the Kansas City Royals.
Carroll took four at-bats on Thursday, July 3, in an Arizona Complex League game, going 0 for 2 with two walks. He took four more at-bats against right-hander Kendall Graveman in a live batting practice session on July 4.
Carroll was hit by a pitch on the left hand on June 18 and was diagnosed with a chip fracture in his wrist five days later. At the time, it seemed the most optimistic projections would be for him to miss at least a few weeks. He could be back in under two weeks.
His return will be based on his pain tolerance. Lovullo said he spoke with Carroll after the Graveman session and quizzed him on what he was feeling.
“Is there a little bit of a bee sting every time you make contact? Is there a high level of pain, a low level of pain? Any pain?” Lovullo said he asked. “He said, ‘Almost nothing.’ And it’s been improving daily form the first day three or four days ago when he said there was a little bit of a bee sting in there to what’s going on right now.
“He said he feels great. We’re getting close. We’re getting very close.”
Diamondbacks vs. Royals, 6:40 p.m., KPNX Ch. 12, Cox Ch. 34
At Chase Field: Rodriguez gave up one run in 5 1/3 innings, making it five consecutive starts for him in which he has allowed no more than two runs. … He has faced the Royals 10 times in his career, logging a 4.09 ERA in 55 innings. … Opposing hitters have had success on Rodriguez’s changeup, hitting .348 with a .545 slugging. … Bubic looked like a potential breakout pitcher in 2023 before he went down with Tommy John surgery. He returned last season, pitching entirely in relief, but has returned to the rotation this year to great success. … He has, however, been a bit less effective in recent outings, giving up 12 earned runs in 20 2/3 innings (5.23 ERA) over his past four starts. … Bubic averages only 92.3 mph with his fastball, but he manages to get swings and misses with it, perhaps in part because of how good his change-up has been. Hitters have a .155 average and .211 slugging off the change-up. … This will be his first career start against the Diamondbacks.
Coming up
July 5: At Chase Field, 1:10 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Ryne Nelson (4-2, 3.61) vs. Royals RHP Michael Wacha (4-8, 3.62).
July 6: At Chase Field, 1:10 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Zac Gallen (6-9, 5.45) vs. Royals RHP Michael Lorenzen (4-8, 4.95).
July 7: At San Diego, 6:40 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Merrill Kelly (7-4, 3.55) vs. Padres RHP Nick Pivetta (9-2, 3.25).
What to know about the Kansas City Royals
Behind a monster season from SS Bobby Witt Jr. and a strong starting rotation, the Royals won a surprising 86 games, captured a wild card and advanced to the division series last season. Unfortunately, they have been unable to recapture last year’s magic. Their offense has been brutal, averaging just 3.3 runs per game, last in the American League, often wasting strong performances from a pitching staff that has the second-best ERA (3.49) in the AL. The Royals’ outfield has been a drag on the offense; their outfielders are hitting a combined .219/.271/.311, easily the worst mark in the majors. Others, including C Salvador Perez (.240 average, .674 OPS) and 1B Vinnie Pasquantino (.267, .741), have not enjoyed as much success as they did last year. Still, the pitching remains strong. LHP Kris Bubic and LHP Noah Cameron have been their most effective starters. RHP Carlos Estevez, a free-agent addition in the winter, has performed well in the closer’s role. If the Royals can play better in the coming weeks, they might look to add offense at the deadline. Otherwise, they could end up sellers come July 31.