D-backs-Rockies Spring Training Game Preview

The first game of spring training for begins with Tommy Henry on the mound for Arizona

The Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies kickoff their Cactus league schedules with the Rockies hosting the D-backs, game time 1:10 P.M. The game can be viewed on MLB.TV, Colorado Broadcast.  A couple of left-handers will start the game, with Tommy Henry going for the D-backs and Carson Palmquist starting for the Rockies. 

Lineups:

D-backs vs. Rockies Lineups: February 23, 2024 / Michael McDermott

The Diamondbacks are going with their starting infield including Gabriel Moreno, Christian Walker, Eugenio Suarez, and Geraldo Perdomo. Expect them each to play about four innings and get two plate appearances.   Newly acquired DH Joc  Pederson will get to play left field today, with minor league prospect Jorge Barrosa getting the start in Center and Jake McCarthy going in right field.  Slugging minor league first baseman Ivan Melendez gets to DH today. Tomorrow's game should feature the starting outfield.

Originally Eduardo Rodriguez was supposed to start this game, but it was decided he would have a more productive outing pitching live BP on the back fields. Torey Lovullo said it was partly his idea to make that switch. They wanted a more controlled environment. This allowed Rodriguez to throw more or less pitches based on how he felt, rather than a game situation.  Rodriguez was impressive, striking out Caleb Roberts swinging, and getting Alek Thomas and Lourdes Gurriel looking. Corbin Carroll walked. 

Additional pitchers expected to get into today's game will be Josh Green, Chris Rodriguez, Konnor Pilkington, Brandon Hughes, Dakota Chalmers, and Rickey Karcher. 

The next three games will be started by Ryne Nelson, Slade Cecconi, and Blake Walston, in that order.  Brandon Pfaadt will slide in with the next group of starters to get inserted into the rotation, along with Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly. 

Expect the starting outfield to be in the lineup tomorrow with Gurriel in left, Thomas in center, and Carroll in right.

Health Updates

Kevin Ginkel (elbow) threw a bullpen today and all went well. 

Randall Grichuk (bone spurs) is still working in the training room and has not yet been cleared for complete baseball activities. The timing is as yet undefined but Lovullo said that he expects Grichuk's timeline to allow him to be ready by Opening Day.