Spring Training Game 2 Preview: Rockies at Diamondbacks

Ryne Nelson takes his turn in the battle for the fifth starter's spot.

The Diamondbacks host the Rockies today at Salt River Fields, game time is at 1:10. The game can be watched for free at MLB.TV. Yesterday the Rockies were the host, and defeated the Diamondbacks 3-0, despite an impressive two inning outing from Tommy Henry, who is competing with today's starter Ryne Nelson for the 5th spot in the rotation

Lineups

Rockies at D-backs lineups / Jack Sommers

Yesterday the D-backs began the game with their starting infield on the field, today, they are going with the starting outfield of 2023 NL Rookie of the Year Corbin Carroll in right, Alek Thomas in center and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. in left.  Shortstop prospect Jordan Lawlar gets a turn today. Lawlar is competing for a roster spot and was featured in an article this morning by Alex D'Agostino.  Ivan Melendez was the DH yesterday and today is back in the lineup at first base. 

Ryne Nelson will be on the bump for the first two innings most likely, and be looking to get up to about 25 pitches give or take.  Nelson won the 5th starter spot out of spring camp last year and  spent most of the 2023 season in the rotation, making 27 starts before eventually being demoted to the bullpen in September and for the postseason. He posted an 8-8 record with a 5.31 ERA, but the team was just 12-15 in his starts.  Nelson averaged just over 5.1 innings per start last season but battled inconsistency. 

Speaking before the game, Torey Lovullo spoke about the intensity of the fifth starter competition and.  "It's challenging [to evaluate] it's very hard because they both had success in spurts, they both won baseball games for us last year, they both pitched well."  At the same time both pitchers have been in camp early and working hard to get ready.  That presents a risk as well, as the contestants might try to do too much too early to prove themselves. Lovullo acknowledged that risk. 

"Yeah, I think so. I watched their bullpens early on before camp started, and holy cow they have really prepped themselves and their guns were loaded. I like that, because that told me a story about their preparation and what they were trying to accomplish once spring training started. I do watch that closely , we talk about maintaining good health and being smart so we're going to make sure that we control the controllables for them.  I don't want guys to over launch and try and do too much. Because you're going to break down emotionally as well. When you're not in the right place emotionally you're going to probably fail. I don't want them to fail. I want them to go out and be themselves and just compete. "

Nelson has been aggressive in his bullpens and his fastball location and shape of his secondary stuff have been "fantastic" according to Lovullo. 

Health Note:

Geraldo Perdomo is battling some arm fatigue and tenderness in the elbow area. He's not on an injury report. But he was seen yesterday with an ice pack on the elbow and today was throwing softly to first with an elbow sleeve on during infield practice.  According to Lovullo this is just maintenance and normal in spring training and Perdomo is scheduled to play in Sunday's game.