Arizona Diamondbacks fighting their way through a rash of injuries
The Arizona Diamondbacks have been snakebit all season.
Injuries plagued the club in spring training and have continued to wreak havoc as the season reaches the midpoint, leaving manager Torey Lovullo searching for answers as he tries to cobble together a daily lineup.
'I have not seen anything like this,' Lovullo said from Chicago this week. 'Usually, you have a bad week or a bad month, or two guys in a 30-day period of time that will go down, but it's just been one after another. It's frustrating. I feel for the players. I feel for this team.'
It's been painful.
Left-hander Corbin Burnes, signed to a $210 million, six-year deal in January, lasted 11 starts before going down with a season-ending elbow injury. He followed fellow starter Jordan Montgomery and proceeded key reliever Justin Martinez in needing Tommy John surgery.
Reliever A.J. Puk also needs elbow surgery, to repair his left ulnar collateral ligament, a procedure that could turn into Tommy John. Pitchers Tommy Henry, Blake Walston and Christian Montes de Oca also are out for the season.
Catcher Gabriel Moreno has been out with a broken finger after being hit by a foul ball on June 15. Backup catcher Adrian Del Castillo has dealt with shoulder and back issues, spoiling his chance to move up from Triple-A Reno to replace Moreno.
The hits kept coming this week.
Arizona placed All Star outfielder Corbin Carroll on the injured list with a chip fracture in his left wrist before Tuesday's game against the White Sox, then watched infielder Ildemaro Vargas go down with a broken foot after being hit by a pitch in the second inning. Carroll has been out since being hit by a pitch on June 18.
Third baseman Eugenio Suárez has been out of the lineup since being hit on the hand by a pitch on Monday. First baseman Josh Naylor also was injured on Monday, straining his right shoulder on an awkward swing, but returned to the lineup on Wednesday.
'It's part of the game, but we've taken on a lot, there's no denying that,' Lovullo said. 'A lot of teams have. I don't want anybody to feel sorry for us. But it's our turn to go out there and figure out how to get the job done, and that's where my main focus is right now.'
The Diamondbacks have managed to keep their focus during the rash of injuries.
With Tuesday's 4-1 win over the White Sox, Arizona has won 10 of 14 to move back into the NL wild card picture. The Diamondbacks aren't out of the NL West race, either, entering Wednesday's game 2 1/2 games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers.
'We've just got to push through it,' Arizona outfielder Alek Thomas said. 'The vibe in the clubhouse, are still high. We still come every day to the field with our chin up and smiles on our faces.'
Some of those smiles are more like grimaces, but the Diamondbacks have found a way to grit their way through.
___
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
24 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Kikuchi strikes out season-high 12 as the Angels beat Red Sox 5-2 to complete 3-game sweep
Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Brennan Bernardino has trouble fielding a bunt by Los Angeles Angels' Taylor Ward in the sixth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, June 25, 2025, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea) Boston Red Sox catcher Carlos Narvaez, left, looks on as Los Angeles Angels' Christian Moore crosses the plate on a single by Angels' Jo Adell during the fourth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, June 25, 2025, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea) Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Richard Fitts delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels, Wednesday, June 25, 2025, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea) Los Angeles Angels' Jo Adell (7) is greeted at the dugout by Angels' Logan O'Hoppe after a solo home run in the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox, Wednesday, June 25, 2025, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea) Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Yusei Kikuchi delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox, Wednesday, June 25, 2025, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea) Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Yusei Kikuchi delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox, Wednesday, June 25, 2025, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea) Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Brennan Bernardino has trouble fielding a bunt by Los Angeles Angels' Taylor Ward in the sixth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, June 25, 2025, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea) Boston Red Sox catcher Carlos Narvaez, left, looks on as Los Angeles Angels' Christian Moore crosses the plate on a single by Angels' Jo Adell during the fourth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, June 25, 2025, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea) Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Richard Fitts delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels, Wednesday, June 25, 2025, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea) Los Angeles Angels' Jo Adell (7) is greeted at the dugout by Angels' Logan O'Hoppe after a solo home run in the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox, Wednesday, June 25, 2025, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea) Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Yusei Kikuchi delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox, Wednesday, June 25, 2025, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea) ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Yusei Kikuchi struck out a season-high 12 in seven innings, Jo Adell and Travis d'Arnaud hit solo homers and RBI singles, and the Los Angeles Angels beat the Boston Red Sox 5-2 Wednesday to complete a three-game sweep. Kikuchi (3-6) allowed up two hits, walked one and threw 31 pitches in a shaky first inning when the Red Sox took advantage of shortstop Scott Kingery's fielding error and scored two unearned runs on Trevor Story's two-out, single with the bases loaded. Advertisement The 34-year-old Japanese left-hander recovered and limited Boston to one hit with no walks over the next six innings. Kikuchi struck out the side in the second and fifth innings and retired the Red Sox in order in the fourth, sixth and seventh innings. Kikuchi induced 20 swinging strikes and threw 74 pitches over the final six innings. Ryan Zeferjahn worked a scoreless eighth and ninth for his second save as the Angels (40-40) reached .500 for the first time since May 23. Adell and d'Arnaud homered off Red Sox starter Richard Fitts on consecutive pitches in the fourth for a 2-all tie. Adell's 433-foot shot was his 17th homer of the season and 10th in June. Boston reliever Luis Guerrero (0-1) issued a leadoff walk to Nolan Schanuel and a one-out walk to Mike Trout in the fifth. The right-hander struck out Taylor Ward with a 97-mph fastball before allowing consecutive two-out RBI singles to Adell and d'Arnaud, giving the Angels a 4-2 lead. Advertisement The Angels pushed the lead to 5-2 in the sixth on singles by Luis Rengifo and Kingery. Trout followed with an RBI single with two outs off reliever Zack Kelly. Key moment Boston had a chance to extend its lead in the first, but Kikuchi got Ceddanne Rafaela to ground out to second with runners on second and third, ending the inning. Kikuchi then retired 18 of the next 19 batters he faced. Key stat The Angels have used five starting pitchers — Kikuchi, Jose Soriano, Tyler Anderson, Kyle Hendricks and Jack Kochaanowicz — through 80 games, matching a franchise record set in 1999 for most games to begin a season using no more than five starters. Advertisement Up next Angels RHP Jose Soriano (5-5, 3.39 ERA) will oppose Washington RHP Jake Irvin (6-3, 4.18) in Anaheim on Friday. Red Sox RHP Brayan Bello (3-2, 3.31) will start Friday's series opener against Toronto in Boston. ___ AP MLB:
Associated Press
27 minutes ago
- Associated Press
Kikuchi strikes out season-high 12 as the Angels beat Red Sox 5-2 to complete 3-game sweep
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Yusei Kikuchi struck out a season-high 12 in seven innings, Jo Adell and Travis d'Arnaud hit solo homers and RBI singles, and the Los Angeles Angels beat the Boston Red Sox 5-2 Wednesday to complete a three-game sweep. Kikuchi (3-6) allowed up two hits, walked one and threw 31 pitches in a shaky first inning when the Red Sox took advantage of shortstop Scott Kingery's fielding error and scored two unearned runs on Trevor Story's two-out, single with the bases loaded. The 34-year-old Japanese left-hander recovered and limited Boston to one hit with no walks over the next six innings. Kikuchi struck out the side in the second and fifth innings and retired the Red Sox in order in the fourth, sixth and seventh innings. Kikuchi induced 20 swinging strikes and threw 74 pitches over the final six innings. Ryan Zeferjahn worked a scoreless eighth and ninth for his second save as the Angels (40-40) reached .500 for the first time since May 23. Adell and d'Arnaud homered off Red Sox starter Richard Fitts on consecutive pitches in the fourth for a 2-all tie. Adell's 433-foot shot was his 17th homer of the season and 10th in June. Boston reliever Luis Guerrero (0-1) issued a leadoff walk to Nolan Schanuel and a one-out walk to Mike Trout in the fifth. The right-hander struck out Taylor Ward with a 97-mph fastball before allowing consecutive two-out RBI singles to Adell and d'Arnaud, giving the Angels a 4-2 lead. The Angels pushed the lead to 5-2 in the sixth on singles by Luis Rengifo and Kingery. Trout followed with an RBI single with two outs off reliever Zack Kelly. Key moment Boston had a chance to extend its lead in the first, but Kikuchi got Ceddanne Rafaela to ground out to second with runners on second and third, ending the inning. Kikuchi then retired 18 of the next 19 batters he faced. Key stat The Angels have used five starting pitchers — Kikuchi, Jose Soriano, Tyler Anderson, Kyle Hendricks and Jack Kochaanowicz — through 80 games, matching a franchise record set in 1999 for most games to begin a season using no more than five starters. Up next Angels RHP Jose Soriano (5-5, 3.39 ERA) will oppose Washington RHP Jake Irvin (6-3, 4.18) in Anaheim on Friday. Red Sox RHP Brayan Bello (3-2, 3.31) will start Friday's series opener against Toronto in Boston. ___ AP MLB:
Yahoo
28 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Hornets Head Coach Charles Lee talks first year coaching, goals for Year 2
Charlotte Hornets Head Coach Charles Lee dealt with many challenges during his first season as a head man in the NBA. ALSO READ: Brandon Miller talks rehab, Hornets future and giving back through youth basketball camp Advertisement Going into Year 2, Lee sat down with Channel 9's DaShawn Brown about what he expects next season. Below is an edited version of Brown's sit down with Lee. DaShawn Brown: Year two... How are you different as a coach now than when you walked in a year ago? Charles Lee: You know, last year at this time, I was going through a finals run with the Celtics, you're going back and forth; building a staff and spending time with players, which really important to me. And so I would say as a coach, I'm just continuing to try to find my voice, continue to carry out the vision that Jeff and I talked about for this organization and for this team. Despite what the record says -- there were moments where I saw so much growth and development Advertisement DB: Showing the guys those moments. Hey, this is how we've grown. What do you point to? CL: I think number one: our habits. I think the professional habits of this group really changed. To see the attention they pay on their bodies, number one. I think our competitiveness got better. For most of that season last year, we were middle of the pack with our defensive rating, and I think that's a testament to their overall commitment to each other, and to guarding DB: Starting with that 4th overall pick, what is the priority for this organization? CL: It's a combination of finding somebody that brings talent on the going to help us continue to thrive. And then off the court, we want to find somebody that continues to embody what we're about. A high-character person that loves the game, that's committed to improving themselves in every way possible, while also bringing their teammates along with them. Advertisement DB: Even now, going into this new year with the core group you have returning, LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, Mark Williams, Miles Bridges, all of these guys - where do you look to take the next step collectively, now that you've had that time together? CL: I think it's consistency of availability. It's consistency of our effort and consistency of our overall togetherness. We got to see small spurts of what that group can do together, and it was pretty amazing. I thought for a while there, LaMelo's playing at an All-Star level, caliber player in our league. He was right there in the conversation -- I think Brandon Miller took another great step in Year two. Shooting a little bit more threes and changing his shot. Miles, I thought took a huge step in his leadership, his durability has always been there for us, but I think that he added more layers to his game. Mark. Dealing with all he went through throughout the year, when he returned back to our team, he had some games where I just thought that he's playing at a high level on both ends of the court. So when you put those four guys together, you add a first round draft pick, you add Tidjane getting better for another year, Moussa getting better, and we see what happens in free agency with some of our guys as well, I'm really excited about what's to come. DB: The injuries were something no one could control, but given that it happened, what do you think you were able to take from that, that made you better? CL: We definitely got stronger this year. Adversity is where you really truly grow, and I thought that our group found ways to continue to stay together, to continue to work, to continue to compete -- there was a no excuses mentality. We're not going to make excuses; we're just going to continue to make progress.** Advertisement DB: On your best day as the head coach of the Charlotte Hornets, what happened? CL: One of the best moments we had this year, that San Antonio Spurs game at home. The crowd was unbelievable despite what our record was at that point. It was one of those moments where it just all came together. Number one, I was so excited to come to Charlotte. The city, the fan support, and you felt it in that moment. Our team. The way we banded together and put together a really good offensive and defensive night and then Miles finishes it off with a pass from Melo at the end of the game. You're always talking about your best players have to make the right play at the end of the game It really just brought everything full circle for me, from the fans to the team, the joy that I felt in that moment. DB: On the most challenging day, what happened, and what did it teach you? CL: There were some challenging days in year one. Thank God I have great people around me to help me get through those challenging days, but the thing I always struggle with sometimes is whenever I just feel like I'm letting the team down. When I'm letting the organization down. I have such respect and gratitude for everything our players are giving, that our coaching staff is giving—when we go through injuries that sometimes end people's seasons -- we don't win a close game and we're right there, I take a lot of that on personally, and I'm like how could I have been better?. My biggest goal is to continue to stay consistent, continue to stay positive, but I definitely take on and feel the pain of some of the injuries or some of the losses that go on because you don't want to let the team down, you don't want to let the city down. It's important to me as one of the leaders of the group to just not let them down. (WATCH BELOW: Brandon Miller talks rehab, Hornets future and giving back through youth basketball camp)
