Alek Thomas arrived at Diamondbacks camp with a different swing, a quieter swing. Gone is the pronounced leg kick. In its place is a simpler, more muted step.
For years, Thomas had been unsure about making this sort of change. He felt this winter the time had finally come.
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“There was success with the leg kick, but it was never consistent — and it hasn’t been consistent for the past four years,” Thomas said. “Talking with the hitting coaches and the people I work with, as well, it was, ‘What can I do to get myself the best chance?’ I just thought — and the hitting coaches thought — this would probably be the best thing to do.”
The old swing was the one he used to hit one of the bigger home runs in club history, a game-tying shot off Phillies reliever Craig Kimbrel to tie Game 4 of the National League Championship Series in 2023. It also was the one that generated so many ground balls to the right side over the past few seasons, swings on which his timing was just slightly off.
He is hoping his new mechanics buy him a little more time to recognize pitches — and thus cut down on chase — while staying balanced and on time.
Through the early days of camp, he is liking how everything is feeling.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Gavin Logan during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Geraldo Perdomo (2) during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte (4) during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks Carlos Santana during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks Lourdes Gurriel Jr. during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks catcher James McCann (8) takes infield practice during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Gabriel Moreno (14) during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks catcher James McCann (8) talks to pitcher Merrill Kelly during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Merrill Kelly during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Merrill Kelly during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Merrill Kelly during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Merrill Kelly during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks Jordan Lawlar during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Druw Jones during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks Lourdes Gurriel Jr. during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks assistant general manager Jeremy Bleich (left) during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Brandon Pfaadt (32) during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Druw Jones reacts during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Brandon Pfaadt (32) during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks catcher James McCann (8) talks to pitcher Brandon Pfaadt (32) during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte (4) during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks Carlos Santana during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks Alek Thomas (5) during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Gabriel Moreno (14) takes infield practice during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (right) during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks catchers James McCann and Gabriel Moreno (right) during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026 in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Gabriel Moreno (14) throws a football during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo (17) during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo (17) during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks catcher James McCann (8) talks to pitcher Merrill Kelly during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Merrill Kelly during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Tommy Henry during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Tommy Henry during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Cristian Mena during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks Nolan Arenado during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Geraldo Perdomo (2) during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks Lourdes Gurriel Jr. during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks Lourdes Gurriel Jr. during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo (17) during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo (17) during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks Tim Tawa during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Brandon Pfaadt (32) during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Brandon Pfaadt (32) during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Kohl Drake during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte (4) during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks Carlos Santana during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks Alek Thomas (5) during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks Jordan Lawlar catches a fly ball during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
“Now, I know what (Geraldo) Perdomo feels like when he’s going from 0-2 all the way back to 3-2,” Thomas said, laughing. “Yeah, I definitely see it a lot longer and am able to recognize it a little bit better.
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“Like, today,” he continued, talking about live batting practice sessions against teammates, “I felt like I saw a lot of pitches and was able to lay off pitches that maybe I wouldn’t have in the past. And I was facing some pretty good guys, as well. I feel good right now with it. I’ve just got to trust it and continue to have faith with it.”
In parts of four seasons in the majors, Thomas owns just a .234/.277/.362 line. He has had stretches of success but has struggled to maintain it, and he has never posted strong numbers against left-handed pitching.
He finds himself in a different situation in spring training – and his career might be at a sort of crossroads. He is penciled in as the starting center fielder but might find himself in competition with former top prospect Jordan Lawlar, who is moving to the outfield.
Thomas also is being asked to be available to bounce to the outfield corners with left fielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and right fielder Corbin Carroll dealing with injuries that could land them on the injured list to start the season.
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Moreover, the center field defense that Thomas provided early in his career hasn’t been as exemplary over the past two seasons, likely the result of a hamstring injury that not only took a long time to heal but also played mind games with Thomas once he got back on the field.
He says he has overcome the mental hurdles the injury created — and appreciates the importance the upcoming season might have on his career.
“I’m not going to put a bunch of pressure on myself, but I definitely have a lot more faith and confidence in myself and I’ve just got to trust everything,” he said. “It’s going to work out the way it’s supposed to.
“It took me four years to realize that I’ve got to change something, but I think change is good — it can be good. I’m really excited about what’s to come for this season.”
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Thomas certainly had his moments with the old swing. It is part of why he was hesitant to change. He tried to implement a similar adjustment a few years ago when he was sent to the minor leagues, but he found the change to be too difficult to implement in-season.
When he watches his old swing on video, he marvels at how he made it work.
“Whenever I was really good, it’s like, ‘Dang, I can just hang up there and see the ball well,’” he said. “But whenever I was doing bad, everything was kind of out of whack. I don’t want to have too many highs and lows. Well, I’d love the highs, but the lows, I feel like the lows were pretty low. I’m just trying to find that middle ground. I feel like this gives me a better chance. For me, at this point, I’ve just got to trust and believe that it will work out.”
Diamondbacks get in work despite rain
Periodic rain and cooler temperatures made for schedule changes in the Diamondbacks’ daily workout at spring training on Wednesday, Feb. 18, but the rain that fell in north Scottsdale wasn’t enough to deter the work that manager Torey Lovullo said the players needed to get done.
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Lovullo stopped by hitting groups on the back fields at the team’s Salt River Fields complex, urging the players to get in their work before calling it a day.
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Diamondbacks pitchers, catchers report to spring training workouts
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Brandon Pfaadt (32) signs autographs for the fans during spring training workouts on Feb. 10, 2026, at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks pitchers, catchers report to spring training workouts
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Brandon Pfaadt (32) signs autographs for the fans during spring training workouts on Feb. 10, 2026, at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks pitchers, catchers report to spring training workouts
Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo and pitcher Corbin Burnes (right) during spring training workouts on Feb. 10, 2026, at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks pitchers, catchers report to spring training workouts
Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Gabriel Moreno (14) during spring training workouts on Feb. 10, 2026, at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks pitchers, catchers report to spring training workouts
Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Gavin Logan during spring training workouts on Feb. 10, 2026, at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks pitchers, catchers report to spring training workouts
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Brandon Pfaadt (32) during spring training workouts on Feb. 10, 2026, at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks pitchers, catchers report to spring training workouts
Fans watch the action in the Arizona Diamondbacks bullpen during spring training workouts on Feb. 10, 2026, at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks pitchers, catchers report to spring training workouts
The Arizona Diamondbacks pitchers and catchers reported to camp for the first day of spring training workouts on Feb. 10, 2026, at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks pitchers, catchers report to spring training workouts
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez during spring training workouts on Feb. 10, 2026, at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks pitchers, catchers report to spring training workouts
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Corbin Burnes (left) talks to pitching coach Brian Kaplan during spring training workouts on Feb. 10, 2026 at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks pitchers, catchers report to spring training workouts
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Merrill Kelly (29) during spring training workouts on Feb. 10, 2026, at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks pitchers, catchers report to spring training workouts
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Kevin Ginkel (37) during spring training workouts on Feb. 10, 2026, at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks pitchers, catchers report to spring training workouts
Arizona Diamondbacks pitchers Brandon Pfaadt and Corbin Burnes (right) during spring training workouts on Feb. 10, 2026, at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks pitchers, catchers report to spring training workouts
Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Geraldo Perdomo (2) during spring training workouts on Feb. 10, 2026, at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks pitchers, catchers report to spring training workouts
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Merrill Kelly (29) during spring training workouts on Feb. 10, 2026, at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks pitchers, catchers report to spring training workouts
Arizona Diamondbacks general manager Mike Hazen during spring training workouts on Feb. 10, 2026, at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks pitchers, catchers report to spring training workouts
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Ryan Thompson (81) during spring training workouts on Feb. 10, 2026, at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks pitchers, catchers report to spring training workouts
Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte (4) during spring training workouts on Feb. 10, 2026, at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks pitchers, catchers report to spring training workouts
Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo and pitcher Corbin Burnes (left) during spring training workouts on Feb. 10, 2026, at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks pitchers, catchers report to spring training workouts
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Corbin Burnes (back) and pitching coach Brian Kaplan watch pitcher Merrill Kelly (29) throw during spring training workouts on Feb. 10, 2026, at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks pitchers, catchers report to spring training workouts
Arizona Diamondbacks general manager Mike Hazen during spring training workouts on Feb. 10, 2026, at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks pitchers, catchers report to spring training workouts
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Merrill Kelly (29) during spring training workouts on Feb. 10, 2026, at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks pitchers, catchers report to spring training workouts
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Merrill Kelly (center) during spring training workouts on Feb. 10, 2026, at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks pitchers, catchers report to spring training workouts
Kayden Marte, son of Ketel Marte, fields a ground ball and throws it to first base with Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Geraldo Perdomo (right) during spring training workouts on Feb. 10, 2026, at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks pitchers, catchers report to spring training workouts
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez (57) during spring training workouts on Feb. 10, 2026, at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks pitchers, catchers report to spring training workouts
Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Gabriel Moreno (14) during spring training workouts on Feb. 10, 2026, at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks pitchers, catchers report to spring training workouts
Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Gabriel Moreno (14) during spring training workouts on Feb. 10, 2026, at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale.
Doing baseball things in adverse conditions can only help the Diamondbacks when they go back east to ballparks without a roof to fend off the rain. There was some rain in Washington, D.C. last April when the team traveled there, and in June, rain caused a game suspension and delays in Cincinnati.
“The most exciting part of the day for me was being able to work in the rain,” Lovullo said. “We don’t get a chance to do that very often here. … With rain coming down, I was super fired up about that. We got great infield work, and the infielders need to learn how to pick up a ground ball and work it around the infield when the ball’s not perfect.”
Starter for Friday will be ‘youngster’
Lovullo said none of the pitchers in the expected starting rotation are going to start the first game of spring training on Friday, Feb. 20.
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He said it’s going to be “a youngster” yet to be named who will get the call. That won’t affect the buildup of the big-league starters, he added, as they will ramp up their pitch counts with each outing of the spring.
Those players headed for the World Baseball Classic will be given the opportunity to play a lot of spring training games early, possibly back-to-back games if they feel good doing that.
“How often, I’ll leave it up to them,” Lovullo said. “I’m going to manipulate the lineups a little bit to give them that opportunity to go out and be as ready as possible.”
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Diamondbacks’ Alek Thomas entering pivotal season with a new swing