{"id":642247,"date":"2026-03-25T07:31:23","date_gmt":"2026-03-25T07:31:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/642247\/"},"modified":"2026-03-25T07:31:23","modified_gmt":"2026-03-25T07:31:23","slug":"diamondbacks-wrap-up-spring-training","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/642247\/","title":{"rendered":"Diamondbacks wrap up spring training"},"content":{"rendered":"

PHOENIX \u2014 Spring training is over, as the Arizona Diamondbacks wrapped up their two-game exhibition series with the Cleveland Guardians at Chase Field on Tuesday and hit the road to Los Angeles for Opening Day.<\/p>\n

It was an ugly couple games for Arizona to wrap up the spring slate, having lost the two games by a combined score of 17-5. But the sights are set on getting off to a good start despite the difficult early-season schedule.<\/p>\n

The D-backs<\/a> open 2026 with the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday and return to Chase Field for the home opener on Monday against the Detroit Tigers.<\/p>\n

The club entered camp with the intention to ramp up its intensity in order to start the season sharper than the previous two, and many players have already participated in high-stakes games in the World Baseball Classic.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe had an energized camp,\u201d Manager Torey Lovullo said. <\/p>\n

\u201cWe got a lot out of\u00a0spring training this year. Not that we haven\u2019t in years past, but I think there was just a different\u00a0intensity. So when I tell you guys that I feel like this group\u00a0is really ready to go out and compete, I do mean it. Despite what happened out there today, let\u2019s\u00a0throw that out the window.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Diamondbacks will have an optional workout Wednesday at Dodger Stadium to prepare for the opener with Zac Gallen on the mound against L.A.\u2019s Yoshinobu Yamamoto.<\/p>\n

For what it is worth (probably not much), the D-backs went 15-15-1 in spring training<\/a>, finishing 10th in runs scored and 24th in ERA.<\/p>\n

Ketel Marte scratched<\/p>\n

Arizona\u2019s Tuesday lineup initially had Ketel Marte starting at second base, but he was scratched. Lovullo said he was experiencing some lower-leg soreness and decided to give him the opportunity to rest up for the regular season. There is no concern he will miss Opening Day.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe just felt like \u2018I\u2019m good,\u00a0I don\u2019t need that at-bat. I\u2019m a little bit sore. So, let me take this time off,’\u201d Lovullo said. \u201cSo that made sense to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Merrill Kelly plan<\/p>\n

Starter Merrill Kelly pitched into the third inning Monday against Cleveland and got his pitch count up to 52. Kelly allowed five runs, including two home runs, but he felt good about how his body felt after the outing.<\/p>\n

\u201cTiming and mechanically-wise, still building up,\u00a0so there\u2019s definitely still some work to do there,\u201d Kelly said. \u201cBut what\u2019s most important, obviously, is that the arm feels good, back feels good,\u00a0so moving in the right direction.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kelly also appreciated the moment when he took the mound at Chase Field again after he had been traded last summer and came back as a free agent.<\/p>\n

Kelly will start the year on the 15-day injured list (back) as he builds up to a starter\u2019s workload. He will start a backfield game at Salt River Fields on Saturday.<\/p>\n

If all goes to plan, Kelly will pitch rehab outings for Triple-A Reno on April 3 and April 8 and prepare to rejoin the Diamondbacks for his next appearance.<\/p>\n

\u201cBody and back and arm feel good, so that\u2019s what matters to me right now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Merrill Kelly said his next outing will be Saturday at Salt River Fields. pic.twitter.com\/DLstI05ADG<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Alex Weiner (@alexjweiner) March 24, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Tough final start for Michael Soroka<\/p>\n

Starter Michael Soroka threw five shutout innings with eight strikeouts in his final Cactus League start last Thursday, but he was hit around on Tuesday. Soroka pushed the pitch count up to 80, but only recorded 3.1 innings-worth of outs and allowed six runs.<\/p>\n

\u201cRight from the get-go, it\u2019s the last day of spring, you\u2019re getting out of here, everybody\u2019s excited to get going, you\u2019ve still got a job to do. It just wasn\u2019t all that sharp today,\u201d Soroka said. <\/p>\n

\u201cI felt like I got what I needed to this spring training<\/a>.\u00a0I had a couple of good ones.\u00a0Threw the ball fairly well for the most part, I thought. Just about being in the zone a little bit more.\u00a0Kind of taking that approach going forward.\u00a0Again, it starts fresh.\u201d<\/p>\n

Corbin Carroll returns to outfield<\/p>\n

Corbin Carroll took his position in right field in big league games for the first time this spring after he had been starting as the designated hitter upon returning from hamate surgery.<\/p>\n

He started both Monday and Tuesday in the outfield and said everything felt fine with the glove.<\/p>\n

\u201cI feel like I\u2019m in a good spot,\u201d Carroll said. \u201cI think the work\u2019s been good with (Dave) McKay, and we\u2019ve got our routine where\u00a0I feel like I can get close to game reps not in the game.\u201d<\/p>\n

First Chase Field outfield reps for Jordan Lawlar<\/p>\n

Jordan Lawlar received the chance to start in left field on Monday and center field on Tuesday, which were the first two games he\u2019s played in the outfield of his home ballpark.<\/p>\n

He made all the plays hit toward him, including a slicing line drive in left field.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was cool to not only get (batting practice) to see the lights and backgrounds and how everything looked but also get the game reps,\u201d Lawlar said.<\/p>\n

Lawlar explained that he\u2019s a bit more comfortable in center field, which is where he\u2019s received most of his reps this spring.<\/p>\n

He only started playing left field over the past few days, plus he noted that the angle from center is more similar to shortstop, his primary position up to this point of his career.<\/p>\n

\u201cI haven\u2019t had much time in left, but as time keeps going on, I\u2019ll do both,\u201d Lawlar said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Lovullo did not commit to who will play center or left field on Opening Day between Lawlar and Alek Thomas, but the plan to get Lawlar comfortable to take on an outfield role out of camp was successful.<\/p>\n

Lourdes Gurriel Jr. update<\/p>\n

Lovullo said Tuesday Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (ACL) and Adrian Del Castillo (calf) will play in minor league games as designated hitters.<\/p>\n

Gurriel is close to getting a chance to play defense. The outfielder has participated in defensive drills and shagging, but he has yet to play the position in a game.<\/p>\n

\u201cDefensively is the next piece of the puzzle because you\u2019re gonna be chasing a baseball and you can\u2019t predict what your body\u2019s gonna need to do, what start-stop action you\u2019re gonna have with your lower half,\u201d Lovullo said. \u201cSo we\u2019re getting very close to that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Del Castillo will continue with his rehab, as he has started running at this point.<\/p>\n

As far as injured pitchers, A.J. Puk has started throwing shortbox bullpens, which means the catcher sets up a bit closer. Justin Martinez is still throwing on flat ground up to 120 feet.<\/p>\n

Follow @alexjweiner<\/a><\/p>\n

\t
\n<\/a><\/p>\n