The Diamondbacks continue their current series against the San Francisco Giants. Wednesday’s game starts at 6:45 p.m. and can be seen on YurView AZ.
Slade Cecconi rolling for Diamondbacks in MLB debut
SAN FRANCISCO — The Diamondbacks lead, 2-0, in the fourth inning Wednesday night at Oracle Park.
They got on the board quickly, with both runs coming in the top of the first. Geraldo Perdomo led off with a single, then stole second and reached third when catcher Patrick Bailey’s throw trickled into the outfield. Corbin Carroll then brought him home on a groundout. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. followed that up with a ground-rule double and scored on a softly hit single to center from Jace Peterson.
Cecconi has supported the offense with three hitless innings to begin his major league career. His first out came in remarkable fashion, with a hit by pitch overturned upon review. The pitch was ruled to have hit LaMonte Wade Jr’s bat and bounced into catcher Jose Herrera’s gut, where it stayed for a foul-tip strike three. The next batter, Michael Conforto, reached via walk, but Cecconi has not allowed a baserunner since.
Torey Lovullo outlines Tommy Pham’s role with Diamondbacks
SAN FRANCISCO — Outfielder Tommy Pham will arrive in San Francisco late Wednesday night and is expected to be activated ahead of Thursday’s series finale.
Pham was acquired from the Mets in the Diamondbacks’ final move before Tuesday’s trade deadline. While the Mets are in Kansas City this week, Pham returned home to New York before flying out west, necessitating an extra day before his activation.
The right-handed hitting Pham is slashing .268/.348/.472 this year. His .820 OPS will be the second best among Diamondbacks’ outfielders, behind only Corbin Carroll.
As such, manager Torey Lovullo sees Pham’s role as being more than that of a platoon player.
“I think he’s a little more than that,” Lovullo said. “He’s gonna get a lot of playing time. Where and what, how that plays out, I don’t know. I don’t want to get locked into saying he’s gonna play seven days a week. … But he’s gonna play a lot.”
One potential role for Pham would be to ease the load off of Lourdes Gurriel Jr., who is hitting just .176 with a .558 OPS over 42 games since missing a week with a groin injury in early June. Lovullo, though, played down that possibility, suggesting instead that Pham could instead bite into the playing time of Jake McCarthy and Alek Thomas.
“It might get a little rotation with some of our lefties,” Lovullo said. “That’s where I’m leaning right now.”
Zach Davies progressing in rehab; Tommy Henry still ‘in treatment phase’
SAN FRANCISCO — Zach Davies is set to throw a simulated game up to 60 pitches at Salt River Fields this week. The right-hander was placed on the 15-day injured list on July 19 with lower back inflammation.
Lovullo did not provide a timeline for Davies’ return to the major leagues. He has struggled this year, with a 7.38 ERA in 12 starts. The Diamondbacks, though, could use the rotation depth, with left-hander Tommy Henry having hit the injured list last week with left elbow inflammation.
At the time of Henry’s injury — which was in July — Lovullo said, “We’re feeling better about this that he’ll be back next month.” On Wednesday, though, Lovullo expressed less optimism when asked if an August return remains likely for Henry.
“I think that’s probably the best-case scenario,” Lovullo said. “But we’ve gotta be patient with him. He’s a young pitcher. We’ve gotta let him rest and recover.”
Lovullo added that Henry is “still in the treatment phase.”
In 17 starts this year, Henry has a 4.15 ERA.
Austin Adams placed on 60-day injured list with fractured ankle
SAN FRANCISCO — Right-handed reliever Austin Adams suffered a fractured right ankle on Tuesday when he was hit by a 100.5 mph comebacker from Joc Pederson.
Adams, who had a 5.71 ERA in 24 appearances, was placed on the 60-day injured list, almost certainly ending his season, although he could theoretically be activated if the Diamondbacks reach the postseason.
The injury cleared a spot on both the 26-man and 40-man rosters for starter Slade Cecconi, who will make his debut Wednesday night. Had Adams not gone down, the Diamondbacks would have had to designate a player for assignment from the 40-man roster.
Wednesday’s Diamondbacks-Giants pitching matchup
Diamondbacks RHP Slade Cecconi (4-8, 6.38) vs. Giants RHP Logan Webb (8-9, 3.49).
The Diamondbacks’ starter, Slade Cecconi, will be making his major-league debut, stepping into the rotation in place of Tommy Henry, who was placed on the 15-day injured list last week with left elbow inflammation that the team does not consider to be serious. … Cecconi has a 6.38 ERA in Triple-A Reno, but has better peripheral stats, with 9.1 strikeouts per nine innings and 2.5 walks per nine in a hitter-friendly league. Cecconi has also pitched relatively well of late, with a 4.08 ERA in his last six starts. … To make room for Cecconi on the roster, the Diamondbacks placed reliever Austin Adams on the 60-day injured list with a fractured right ankle. He entered Tuesday’s game in the eighth inning and the first batter he faced, Joc Pederson, smashed a comebacker off Adams’ ankle.
Webb leads the majors in innings pitched, averaging over 6 1/3 innings per start. He showcased that last time out, allowing three runs in 7 1/3 innings against the Red Sox. He also pitched a complete game shutout earlier this month against the Rockies. … Webb’s ERA has ticked up half a run since last season, when he finished 11th in NL Cy Young voting, but he is striking out more batters and walking fewer. … In eight career starts against the Diamondbacks, Webb is 4-2 with a 2.63 ERA.
Coming up
Thursday: At San Francisco, 12:45 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Brandon Pfaadt (0-4, 8.20) vs. Giants TBA.
Friday: At Minnesota, 5:10 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Merrill Kelly (9-5, 3.23) vs. Twins RHP Bailey Ober (6-5, 3.19).
Saturday: At Minnesota, 4:10 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Ryne Nelson (6-5, 4.84) vs. Twins RHP (2-6, 4.53).
Assessing Diamondbacks’ moves at MLB trade deadline
No big splash: GM Mike Hazen adds around edges but opts against major deals
MLB trade deadline grades: Diamondbacks impress with Tommy Pham, Paul Sewald deals
Left a big hole: Diamondbacks fans lament failure to trade for starting pitcher
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