Torey Lovullo Gives Updates on Walker, Suárez, and Thomas
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo spoke to the media ahead of their game against the Cincinnati Reds. Injuries have been piling up for the D-backs just a week into Cactus League play, with a third of their projected starting lineup out with no clear timetable to return.
Here's the latest updates on:
Christian Walker (Right Hand)
Christian Walker is considered day-to-day with a contusion on the back of his right hand. The team did thorough imaging of his hand to make sure there were no broken bones there. Lovullo's immediate reaction was fearing a broken hand, after Walker's hand immediately swelled up after getting hit by a Ryan Walker pitch in the 4th inning of yesterday's game. Fortunately the D-backs first baseman seems to have narrowly avoided a devastating injury.
Walker was seen at Salt River Fields taking a ground ball off of a machine, but nothing beyond that. He was not throwing or swinging a bat, but observed defensive drills to get mental reps while he's out.
Eugenio Suárez (Left Side)
Suarez has discomfort in the low-back, side area. Lovullo anticipates he'll be out through at least the weekend. He was scratched from the lineup yesterday with "left side tightness."
Alek Thomas (Right Wrist)
Thomas will be held out through the weekend. Thomas appeared in just one spring game but has been shut down since.
Jace Peterson (Right Wrist)
Peterson was added to the medical report with a right wrist inflammation. They did imaging of his wrist, which confirmed the inflammation. Lovullo is not concerned about Peterson's availability for Opening Day.
Zac Gallen (Sim Game)
Lovullo watched the first inning of Zac Gallen's sim game, but not the second in order to catch the team bus to Goodyear. He thought his ace was trying to find himself on the mound, but driving pitches in on right-handed hitters. Gallen could make his Cactus League debut on March 7th.