BALTIMORE — Manager Torey Lovullo did not yet have an update on the status of center fielder Alec Thomas before Friday's game against the Orioles. Thomas underwent an MRI on his hamstring on Wednesday, and the team is gathering opinions from a second and third doctor before deciding on next steps.
“We want to get an up-to-date MRI to make sure there's no additional risk if you decide to get tested,” Lovullo said. “Even if we don't decide to go, we want to make sure the diagnosis is correct. And he feels great, just for us to say, 'This is where we are and this is where we're going to get to.' You just don't have full permission. And he wants more than one person to take a good look at it. ”
Despite the need for multiple opinions, it sounded like there was still a path for his return to happen sooner rather than later.
“Obviously something is going on,” Lovullo said. “Obviously there's a signal there. We're trying to determine if that's OK.”
Thomas suffered his first injury on March 31 while running base. He returned last weekend for a three-game rehab game against Triple-A Reno after complaining of hamstring discomfort that required updated imaging.
Eduardo Rodriguez begins pitching program
BALTIMORE — Left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez began his pitching program Friday, throwing from 45 feet. This came after an encouraging MRI on Wednesday that showed enough progress for the Diamondbacks to begin healing his latissimus dorsi.
Rodriguez was injured during a spring training game on March 19 and suffered discomfort during a bullpen session on April 9 and suffered a setback.
Lovullo said Friday that starting pitchers usually need at least as much time to get back on track. That timeline shows Rodriguez is still more than a month away from making his Diamondbacks debut.
Friday's Diamondbacks vs. Orioles pitching showdown
Diamondbacks vs. Orioles, 4:05 p.m., Apple TV+
Diamondbacks RHP Brandon Fuhrt (1-2, 4.61) vs. Orioles LHP Cole Irvin (3-1, 2.86).
At Oriole Park at Camden Yards: Puffert allowed five runs (three earned) in six innings against the Padres last week, a game in which he was hurt by defensive mistakes behind him. …Puffert has had quality starts in three of the last four games. …He's been working on lowering his fastball velocity a bit this year (averaging 92.6 mph) compared to last year (93.7 mph). …He never played against the Orioles. … Irvin has not given up a run in each of his past three games and has a streak of 20 2/3 scoreless innings. He recently pitched 6 1/3 scoreless innings against the Reds, with no walks and four strikeouts. …Irvin had 12 strikeouts and just two walks during the scoreless streak. … Irvin has a fastball of about 92 mph and relies heavily on his curveball. He also mixes in cutters and changeups. … Last season, he started against the Diamondbacks in September and gave up four runs in 5 2/3 innings.
Saturday's Diamondbacks vs. Orioles pitching showdown
Diamondbacks vs. Orioles, 1:05 p.m., Cox Channel 34
Diamondbacks RHP Ryne Nelson (2-2, 5.23) vs. Orioles LHP John Means (1-0, 0.00).
Nelson returned from a short stint on the disabled list in last week's game against the Padres, allowing four runs in five innings. He had three strikeouts and gave up one walk as the Diamondbacks offense carried him to victory. … Before being placed on the disabled list with an elbow contusion, Nelson relied on his cutter for encouraging outings. After the Padres' win, he said he felt as sharp as he did before his injury. …Nelson has found much of his success against teams that struggle to hit his four-seam fastball. Despite his overall offensive ability, the Orioles rank in the bottom 10 teams in terms of quality of contact against his four-seam fastball. … Means made his first appearance of the season against the Reds last week after missing the start of the year with a forearm strain. He pitched seven scoreless innings, allowing three hits and no walks, with eight strikeouts. … Means has played in just seven games over the past three seasons due to injury, including Tommy John surgery he underwent in 2022.
very soon
Sunday: Baltimore, 10:35 a.m., Diamondbacks RHP Zac Gallen (4-2, 2.84) vs. Orioles RHP Dean Kremer (3-2, 3.57).
Monday: Diamondbacks LHP Jordan Montgomery (2-2, 4.70) vs. Reds RHP Graham Ashcraft (3-2, 3.86), 6:40 p.m. at Chase Field.
Tuesday: Diamondbacks RHP Slade Cecconi (1-2, 4.15) vs. Reds RHP Hunter Green (1-2, 3.38), 6:40 p.m. at Chase Field.
