Diamondbacks lefty takes WBC victory lap upon return, game report

Eduardo Rodriguez couldn’t help but share his stories from the World Baseball Classic, back with his Diamondbacks teammates three days after helping Venezuela stun Team USA in the WBC final.

And several took time to shake his hand and embrace Rodriguez, congratulating him for his strong pitching performance in the championship game and for Venezuela winning the trophy as the world’s best national baseball team.

Then he reached into his Team Venezuela WBC-issued equipment bag, took out his Venezuela uniform, put it on and wore it for photos and the Diamondbacks’ team workouts before the team’s Friday, March 20, spring training game against the Milwaukee Brewers.

Diamondbacks coach Rolando Valles, part of the Venezuela staff, dressed in his Venezuela uniform and even wore the gold medal around his neck. There were more congratulatory hugs.

Rodriguez said there was nothing that could compare to the emotions of winning the WBC.

“I know a lot of guys out there are saying that the World Series is better than the WBC,” Rodriguez said. “But those guys have never played in the final of the WBC. You know, as a professional, when something means more than what you normally see.”

After pitching 4 1/3 scoreless innings against the mighty American lineup, Rodriguez was shaking as he came off the field at LoanDepot Park in Miami. He received a standing ovation from the predominantly pro-Venezuela crowd.

“I would say 90 to 10. Ninety percent Venezuela and 10% Team USA,” Rodriguez said. “That’s the way that felt. Against Dominican Republic (in the pool round) it was more like 50-50. … Our Venezuelan community down there is that big.”

Rodriguez was beyond happy for his former Diamondbacks teammate Eugenio Suarez, who delivered the go-ahead RBI with a double in the top of the ninth inning. He also appreciated the support from the Dominican team, as Arizona teammates Ketel Marte and Geraldo Perdomo were both glad that Venezuela won and said so publicly earlier in the week.

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo was told by Valles and Rodriguez that they planned to wear their WBC uniforms on Friday, as suggested by a Venezuelan player. The idea was that everyone who was part of Venezuela’s championship would wear his uniform upon returning to major league clubs.

—José M. Romero

Diamondbacks’ power-armed reliever filling up zone, pushing for job

Nineteen pitchers have thrown at least 100 pitches at Diamondbacks camp this spring. Only five have thrown a higher percentage of strikes than right-hander Juan Morillo.

It is a rudimentary accounting of his Cactus League performance, but, in a sense, not much else matters for the Diamondbacks’ flame-throwing reliever.

“I’ve got really good stuff,” Morillo said. “When I’m in the zone, I’ve got a good chance to get quick outs.”

It was, Morillo said, the biggest thing he took away from his first taste of the majors last season. He went into the offseason — and has come into spring training — with a focus on doing everything possible to throw more strikes.

He worked on his command and mechanics in the offseason. He changed his diet. He even changed his sleep habits.

He has come into camp at roughly the same weight — about 220 pounds — but feeling stronger and more energetic, and he says he is moving better on the mound.

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