Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll was set to be the designated hitter in a major league spring training game on Wednesday, March 11, with Arizona scheduled to host the Athletics at Salt River Fields, manager Torey Lovullo announced on Tuesday, March 10.
Carroll continues to get at-bats in minor league games, including seven on Monday, March 9. He was set for more on March 10, Lovullo said.
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Carroll was leading off every inning in a minor league game on March 9, with the team able to control his at-bats in a manner not available to coaches in major league games. It’s not clear how often Carroll will play after March 11, as Lovullo wants to see how he comes out of his spring training debut.
Carroll was hit on the right hand with a pitch during batting practice on the first day of spring training a month ago. He has been working hard to get back to full strength ever since. The initial prognosis was that he’d miss all or most of camp, but Carroll is ahead of that.
“Let’s just get that far, and then we’ll figure it out from there,” Lovullo said. “There’s a high pain threshold, we know that.”
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Lovullo said Carroll feels no more pain. He also said there is some form of hand protection inside the batting gloves Carroll uses.
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Also, right-hander Merrill Kelly will pitch an inning on Friday night, March 13, in Surprise, when the Diamondbacks play the Kansas City Royals in spring training. Kelly will be making his 2026 spring training debut.
“All systems go with him,” Lovullo said of Kelly. “We’ll just continue to build up the starting pitchers.”
Dodgers 4, Diamondbacks 1
At Camelback Ranch
On the mound: RHP Brandon Pfaadt allowed one run in 2 2/3 innings, giving up two hits and two walks while striking out four. He got an impressive six whiffs out of seven swings against his slider, a pitch he has been working to get back into top form after struggling with it last year. “I think today was a step in the right direction from all the work we’ve put in with that pitch, specifically,” Pfaadt said. “It feels good to see it going in the right direction.” Pfaadt said the shapes on the pitch have been consistent and it has felt the way he wants coming out of his hand. Moreover, Pfaadt was glad he was able to face a Dodgers lineup that included RF Kyle Tucker, SS Mookie Betts, 1B Freddie Freeman and 3B Max Muncy, among others. “It’s great,” he said. “Getting the starters is awesome. Some people would think of that as the opposite, but I enjoy it.” Out of the bullpen, RHP Kade Strowd pitched one inning and allowed two runs on three hits. He’s given up two runs in three of his past four outings. RHP Jonathan Loaisiga and LHP Brandyn Garcia pitched scoreless innings, Loaisiga with two strikeouts and Garcia with one.
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At the plate: CF Jordan Lawlar homered on the second pitch of the game, off Dodgers starter Tyler Glasnow. “Great swing,” Lovullo said. 3B Tim Tawa doubled, but the Diamondbacks had just five hits as a team. 1B Luken Baker had two of those hits. Extra bases: LF Ryan Waldschmidt made a running catch near the wall in the bottom of the seventh inning, with CF Jordan Lawlar bearing down on him and sliding forward for the ball. The two avoided a nasty collision. “They were both calling (for it) at the same time, but I think in Lawlar’s case, he’s got to really clear everybody out of there and call it for a good 60 feet,” Lovullo said. Waldschmidt was robbed of a hit in the top of the eighth on a running catch near the wall in left field. With the Dodgers fielding a lineup of several regulars, Lovullo said it was a great opportunity for Pfaadt and some relievers to get quality work in. “The Dodgers are the Dodgers, they’re one of the best teams in baseball,” Lovullo said. “Can’t back down, got to go out there and power through with your best stuff, and I think we learned some lessons by doing that.”
Next game, Wednesday, March 11: Diamondbacks RHP Ryne Nelson vs. Athletics RHP Luis Morales, 1:10 p.m., Salt River Fields.
The Republic’s Nick Piecoro contributed to this report.
(This story has been updated to add new information.)
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Corbin Carroll, Merrill Kelly to play in DBacks spring training games