Right-hander Ryan Thompson threw a 21-pitch live batting practice session on Tuesday, Aug. 19, at Salt River Fields and came away encouraged by how he felt, manager Torey Lovullo said.

“He said he felt great,” Lovullo said. “His stuff felt good coming out of his hand. He was throwing it where he wants. He felt like the hitters’ response was really good.”

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Thompson has been a key member of the Diamondbacks’ bullpen since he signed with them midway through the 2023 season. He had an up-and-down year this season before landing on the injured list July 6 with a strained scapular in his shoulder.

Lovullo said Thompson joked about striking out a 17-year-old hitter and “(feeling) really good about himself,” but the manager added that he would like Thompson’s next step to come against more advanced hitters.

“Maybe bring him over here (to Chase Field) for some lives against our hitters, where he can get some more direct feedback from the guys verbally,” Lovullo said. “You’ve got a big-league hitter that you’re facing that will tell him when he’s on the mound if the pitch was well-thrown or not. That would be my choice.”

Thompson likely will need go out to one of the club’s minor league affiliates before potentially returning from the injured list, Lovullo said.

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Guardians at Diamondbacks, 6:40 p.m., Aug. 19, Cox, Ch. 34

Diamondbacks LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (5-7, 5.40) vs. Guardians RHP Tanner Bibee (9-9, 4.54).

At Chase Field: Rodriguez is coming off his best start in parts of two seasons with the Diamondbacks. He fired seven innings of one-run ball against the Rockies at Coors Field on Aug. 14. … Rodriguez has made nine career starts against Cleveland, going 7-0 with a 2.51 ERA. … 3B Jose Ramirez has three homers off Rodriguez in 27 at-bats. … Bibee has had an up-and-down year in the Guardians’ rotation. He has not been especially sharp lately, logging just one quality start in his past eight outings. … He has faced the Diamondbacks just once, in 2023, giving up three runs in five innings. … Bibee averages 94.4 mph on his fastball. He has been getting fewer whiffs on the pitch this year compared to previous seasons.

Coming up

Wednesday, Aug. 20: At Chase Field, 12:40 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Brandon Pfaadt (12-8, 5.08) vs. Guardians TBA.

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Thursday, Aug. 21: Off.

Friday, Aug. 22: At Chase Field, 6:40 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Ryne Nelson (6-3, 3.58) vs. Reds LHP Nick Lodolo (8-6, 3.05).

Saturday, Aug. 23: At Chase Field, 5:10 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Nabil Crismatt (0-0, 1.80) vs. Reds RHP Zack Littell (9-8, 3.52).

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Diamondbacks vs Guardians: Veteran reliever progressing