Latest news with #Lovullo
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Corbin Burnes' injury darkens Diamondbacks' much-needed win over Nationals
The Diamondbacks got a win they really needed, and got a strong performance out of their bullpen in that win which was perhaps just as critical. They celebrated young right-hander Cristian Mena, who one day after being called up from Triple-A Reno earned his first career major league victory with two scoreless innings of work. But the 3-1 win over the Washington Nationals on Sunday, June 1, didn't come without misfortune. Starting pitcher Corbin Burnes left the game after 4 ⅔ innings with what the Diamondbacks announced as right elbow discomfort. Advertisement Burnes said he'd started to feel tightness before he motioned for a trainer with two outs in the top of the fifth inning. "Obviously, saw the velo(city) start to drop and the movement of the pitches was not where we wanted it to be," Burnes said. "Just got to the point where the tightness was too much and didn't feel like we need to push it any farther. Hopefully we caught it early, hopefully it's not bad, but we'll see." Burnes said he's never felt anything like what he did before, and that he hopes it was his body was telling him to shut down before things got too bad. Burnes won't go with the team to Atlanta on its next road trip and will stay in town for an MRI on his elbow early Monday morning, June 2. "It's a gut punch, for sure," Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said. "He is tough. He rarely complains about anything. So when you see him wave the trainer and the coaches out there, you're holding your breath." Advertisement The concern level, manager Lovullo said, is more than minimal. "Keep our fingers crossed," he said. Losing Burnes for any extended time period surely means another shakeup in the starting rotation, and costs the Diamondbacks their most effective starting pitcher over the past month. Only two days earlier, the Diamondbacks (28-31) moved right-handed starter and reliever Ryne Nelson to the bullpen, with lefty Eduardo Rodriguez soon to return from the injured list. If Burnes isn't OK to make his next start, Nelson could be yo-yoed back into the starting rotation. "I have a front office full of unbelievable minds that are waiting to discuss that, pitching coaches that are waiting to discuss that, so yes, we are in a very fluid situation right now," Lovullo said. "It's going to involve Mena and 'Nellie' (Nelson) for sure." Advertisement Burnes said his injury is a tough break because he'd been pitching well and felt good the first couple of innings on Sunday. After four straight losses full of subpar pitching performances, the Diamondbacks got a good start and good relief work to back it up. After Burnes departed, Jalen Beeks finished the fifth inning. Then Mena pitched two clean innings with only two baserunners allowed. Shelby Miller pitched a scoreless eighth inning, and Justin Martinez pitched a 1-2-3 ninth to earn his fourth save. The Diamondbacks managed just three hits for the game. Eugenio Suarez's two-run home run in the first inning was his 16th of the season, tying him with Corbin Carroll for the Diamondbacks' lead. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. doubled in a run in Arizona's three-run first. "The support after losing our starting pitcher, our bullpen did a really good job," Suarez said. "Now we've got to go to Atlanta and try to win games and have a good road trip, and keep the energy and mentality like (Sunday)." Cristian Mena up from Reno to Diamondbacks' bullpen The Arizona Diamondbacks on June 1 made a roster move, calling up Mena from Triple-A Reno and optioning right-hander Scott McGough to Reno. Advertisement McGough pitched on May 31, allowing three runs on three hits with three walks and a strikeout in one inning of work. Mena was called up last month briefly, appearing in one game before returning to Reno. He's 2-3 in nine starts with a 4.84 earned run average this season at Reno, and has 52 strikeouts to 16 walks there. "We just need bullpen arms. We're a little bit thin down there," Lovullo said. "Mena will throw out of the bullpen, give us a little bit of coverage in case there's some sort of blowup. But we're also very curious about him. He threw the ball really well when he was here, he threw the ball well in Triple-A, and he's ready for this opportunity to get the baseball." Corbin Carroll out of lineup Lovullo opted to give outfielder Corbin Carroll a day off on June 1, with the Diamondbacks facing a left-handed starter and the manager's belief that Carroll has been grinding and needs a break. Advertisement Since May 18, Carroll has six hits and has struck out 15 times. "It's a very clear sign that the game is a little bit of a challenge for him, and I just thought getting him off his feet and giving him a blow (Sunday)," Lovullo said. "If he doesn't play, he gets today and tomorrow off, a little bit of a recharge." Coming up June 2: Off. June 3: At Atlanta, 4:15 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Zac Gallen (3-7, 5.54) vs. Braves RHP Spencer Strider (0-3, 4.50). June 4: At Atlanta, 4:15 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Merrill Kelly (5-2, 3.78) vs. Braves LHP Chris Sale (3-3, 3.06). June 5: At Atlanta, 9:15 a.m., Diamondbacks RHP Brandon Pfaadt (7-4, 5.05) vs. Braves RHP Grant Holmes (3-4, 3.78). This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Diamondbacks get needed win, but lose pitcher Corbin Burnes
San Francisco Chronicle
3 days ago
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
D-backs manager Torey Lovullo turns to his 92-year-old mom for advice amid team's slump
PHOENIX (AP) — With his Arizona Diamondbacks mired in an early-season funk, manager Torey Lovullo knows where to go for advice on how to get things turned around. His mother, 92-year-old Grace Lovullo. 'She said throw out the analytics and trust your gut,' Lovullo said, grinning. 'I said 'Yeah, I like that. I've been a gut manager my whole life.'' A season of sky-high expectations is off to a slow start for the D-backs, who have lost seven of eight heading into Friday night's game against the Washington Nationals. The skid has dropped Arizona to 27-29 despite the highest projected payroll in team history. The stretch of bad baseball has flummoxed Lovullo, the ninth-year skipper who is the franchise's career wins leader and led the team to the World Series less than two years ago. 'I'm looking for performance, I'm looking for guys to step up at the most critical time and get the job done,' Lovullo said. 'I'm looking for winning players to provide us winning moments. We can do it, but we've got to link up.' There's more than one reason the D-backs are struggling but one problem — the bullpen — has caused the most heartburn. Arizona's relievers have blown multiple big leads and their combined 5.49 ERA is among the worst in the big leagues. The latest implosion came earlier this week, when the D-backs built a 6-0 lead against the Pittsburgh Pirates before giving up seven runs in the eighth inning and losing 9-6. Bullpen mainstays over the past few years — like hard throwing right-hander Kevin Ginkel — have been demoted to Triple-A as Lovullo tries to find a group that can close games consistently. Veteran righty Jeff Brigham was brought up to take Ginkel's spot on the roster Friday. Lovullo has also been critical of his team's defense. Arizona's 29 errors rank in the middle of the MLB pack, but things that don't necessarily show up in the box score like missed cutoffs or bad reads on fly balls have been common — particularly late in games. It's one reason they're 8-11 in one-run games and 2-4 in extra innings. 'We're not getting the job done defensively late in the game,' Lovullo said. 'For me, that's got to improve.' There are reasons to believe that things could turn around. Outfielder Corbin Carroll, second baseman Ketel Marte and shortstop Geraldo Perdomo lead a lineup that's been one of the most productive in the big leagues. Perdomo has been one of the league's biggest surprises, particularly at the plate. The 25-year-old has already tied a career-high with six homers and is second on the team with 39 RBIs. Lovullo moved the shortstop into the No. 3 spot in the lineup for the first time this season on Friday. Ace right-hander Corbin Burnes — who signed a $210 million, six-year deal in the offseason — has a 2.72 ERA while Merrill Kelly, Brandon Pfaadt and Ryne Nelson have also been solid. 'This team is very, very capable of getting this thing turned around in a hurry,' Lovullo said. The entire NL West is also in a funk after a torrid start to the season, keeping the D-backs from falling too far behind. Arizona is fourth in the division, but just seven games off the lead behind the Dodgers, Padres and Giants. With four months of baseball left, players say there's no panic. 'When you have a 162-game season, you're not looking to have one of these stretches, but it seems like we've had one pretty much every single year and we've been able to bounce back,' designated hitter Pavin Smith said. 'Looking on years' past, knowing we've been able to get out of it, gives us confidence.' ___
3 days ago
- Sport
D-backs manager Torey Lovullo turns to his 92-year-old mom for advice amid team's slump
PHOENIX -- With his Arizona Diamondbacks mired in an early-season funk, manager Torey Lovullo knows where to go for advice on how to get things turned around. His mother, 92-year-old Grace Lovullo. 'She said throw out the analytics and trust your gut,' Lovullo said, grinning. 'I said 'Yeah, I like that. I've been a gut manager my whole life.'' A season of sky-high expectations is off to a slow start for the D-backs, who have lost seven of eight heading into Friday night's game against the Washington Nationals. The skid has dropped Arizona to 27-29 despite the highest projected payroll in team history. The stretch of bad baseball has flummoxed Lovullo, the ninth-year skipper who is the franchise's career wins leader and led the team to the World Series less than two years ago. 'I'm looking for performance, I'm looking for guys to step up at the most critical time and get the job done,' Lovullo said. 'I'm looking for winning players to provide us winning moments. We can do it, but we've got to link up.' There's more than one reason the D-backs are struggling but one problem — the bullpen — has caused the most heartburn. Arizona's relievers have blown multiple big leads and their combined 5.49 ERA is among the worst in the big leagues. The latest implosion came earlier this week, when the D-backs built a 6-0 lead against the Pittsburgh Pirates before giving up seven runs in the eighth inning and losing 9-6. Bullpen mainstays over the past few years — like hard throwing right-hander Kevin Ginkel — have been demoted to Triple-A as Lovullo tries to find a group that can close games consistently. Veteran righty Jeff Brigham was brought up to take Ginkel's spot on the roster Friday. Lovullo has also been critical of his team's defense. Arizona's 29 errors rank in the middle of the MLB pack, but things that don't necessarily show up in the box score like missed cutoffs or bad reads on fly balls have been common — particularly late in games. It's one reason they're 8-11 in one-run games and 2-4 in extra innings. 'We're not getting the job done defensively late in the game,' Lovullo said. 'For me, that's got to improve.' There are reasons to believe that things could turn around. Outfielder Corbin Carroll, second baseman Ketel Marte and shortstop Geraldo Perdomo lead a lineup that's been one of the most productive in the big leagues. Perdomo has been one of the league's biggest surprises, particularly at the plate. The 25-year-old has already tied a career-high with six homers and is second on the team with 39 RBIs. Lovullo moved the shortstop into the No. 3 spot in the lineup for the first time this season on Friday. Ace right-hander Corbin Burnes — who signed a $210 million, six-year deal in the offseason — has a 2.72 ERA while Merrill Kelly, Brandon Pfaadt and Ryne Nelson have also been solid. 'This team is very, very capable of getting this thing turned around in a hurry,' Lovullo said. The entire NL West is also in a funk after a torrid start to the season, keeping the D-backs from falling too far behind. Arizona is fourth in the division, but just seven games off the lead behind the Dodgers, Padres and Giants. With four months of baseball left, players say there's no panic. 'When you have a 162-game season, you're not looking to have one of these stretches, but it seems like we've had one pretty much every single year and we've been able to bounce back,' designated hitter Pavin Smith said. 'Looking on years' past, knowing we've been able to get out of it, gives us confidence.'
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
D-backs manager Torey Lovullo turns to his 92-year-old mom for advice amid team's slump
PHOENIX (AP) — With his Arizona Diamondbacks mired in an early-season funk, manager Torey Lovullo knows where to go for advice on how to get things turned around. His mother, 92-year-old Grace Lovullo. 'She said throw out the analytics and trust your gut,' Lovullo said, grinning. 'I said 'Yeah, I like that. I've been a gut manager my whole life.'' A season of sky-high expectations is off to a slow start for the D-backs, who have lost seven of eight heading into Friday night's game against the Washington Nationals. The skid has dropped Arizona to 27-29 despite the highest projected payroll in team history. The stretch of bad baseball has flummoxed Lovullo, the ninth-year skipper who is the franchise's career wins leader and led the team to the World Series less than two years ago. 'I'm looking for performance, I'm looking for guys to step up at the most critical time and get the job done,' Lovullo said. 'I'm looking for winning players to provide us winning moments. We can do it, but we've got to link up.' There's more than one reason the D-backs are struggling but one problem — the bullpen — has caused the most heartburn. Arizona's relievers have blown multiple big leads and their combined 5.49 ERA is among the worst in the big leagues. The latest implosion came earlier this week, when the D-backs built a 6-0 lead against the Pittsburgh Pirates before giving up seven runs in the eighth inning and losing 9-6. Bullpen mainstays over the past few years — like hard throwing right-hander Kevin Ginkel — have been demoted to Triple-A as Lovullo tries to find a group that can close games consistently. Veteran righty Jeff Brigham was brought up to take Ginkel's spot on the roster Friday. Lovullo has also been critical of his team's defense. Arizona's 29 errors rank in the middle of the MLB pack, but things that don't necessarily show up in the box score like missed cutoffs or bad reads on fly balls have been common — particularly late in games. It's one reason they're 8-11 in one-run games and 2-4 in extra innings. 'We're not getting the job done defensively late in the game,' Lovullo said. 'For me, that's got to improve.' There are reasons to believe that things could turn around. Outfielder Corbin Carroll, second baseman Ketel Marte and shortstop Geraldo Perdomo lead a lineup that's been one of the most productive in the big leagues. Perdomo has been one of the league's biggest surprises, particularly at the plate. The 25-year-old has already tied a career-high with six homers and is second on the team with 39 RBIs. Lovullo moved the shortstop into the No. 3 spot in the lineup for the first time this season on Friday. Ace right-hander Corbin Burnes — who signed a $210 million, six-year deal in the offseason — has a 2.72 ERA while Merrill Kelly, Brandon Pfaadt and Ryne Nelson have also been solid. 'This team is very, very capable of getting this thing turned around in a hurry,' Lovullo said. The entire NL West is also in a funk after a torrid start to the season, keeping the D-backs from falling too far behind. Arizona is fourth in the division, but just seven games off the lead behind the Dodgers, Padres and Giants. With four months of baseball left, players say there's no panic. 'When you have a 162-game season, you're not looking to have one of these stretches, but it seems like we've had one pretty much every single year and we've been able to bounce back,' designated hitter Pavin Smith said. 'Looking on years' past, knowing we've been able to get out of it, gives us confidence.' ___ AP MLB:
Winnipeg Free Press
3 days ago
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
D-backs manager Torey Lovullo turns to his 92-year-old mom for advice amid team's slump
PHOENIX (AP) — With his Arizona Diamondbacks mired in an early-season funk, manager Torey Lovullo knows where to go for advice on how to get things turned around. His mother, 92-year-old Grace Lovullo. 'She said throw out the analytics and trust your gut,' Lovullo said, grinning. 'I said 'Yeah, I like that. I've been a gut manager my whole life.'' A season of sky-high expectations is off to a slow start for the D-backs, who have lost seven of eight heading into Friday night's game against the Washington Nationals. The skid has dropped Arizona to 27-29 despite the highest projected payroll in team history. The stretch of bad baseball has flummoxed Lovullo, the ninth-year skipper who is the franchise's career wins leader and led the team to the World Series less than two years ago. 'I'm looking for performance, I'm looking for guys to step up at the most critical time and get the job done,' Lovullo said. 'I'm looking for winning players to provide us winning moments. We can do it, but we've got to link up.' There's more than one reason the D-backs are struggling but one problem — the bullpen — has caused the most heartburn. Arizona's relievers have blown multiple big leads and their combined 5.49 ERA is among the worst in the big leagues. The latest implosion came earlier this week, when the D-backs built a 6-0 lead against the Pittsburgh Pirates before giving up seven runs in the eighth inning and losing 9-6. Bullpen mainstays over the past few years — like hard throwing right-hander Kevin Ginkel — have been demoted to Triple-A as Lovullo tries to find a group that can close games consistently. Veteran righty Jeff Brigham was brought up to take Ginkel's spot on the roster Friday. Lovullo has also been critical of his team's defense. Arizona's 29 errors rank in the middle of the MLB pack, but things that don't necessarily show up in the box score like missed cutoffs or bad reads on fly balls have been common — particularly late in games. It's one reason they're 8-11 in one-run games and 2-4 in extra innings. 'We're not getting the job done defensively late in the game,' Lovullo said. 'For me, that's got to improve.' There are reasons to believe that things could turn around. Outfielder Corbin Carroll, second baseman Ketel Marte and shortstop Geraldo Perdomo lead a lineup that's been one of the most productive in the big leagues. Perdomo has been one of the league's biggest surprises, particularly at the plate. The 25-year-old has already tied a career-high with six homers and is second on the team with 39 RBIs. Lovullo moved the shortstop into the No. 3 spot in the lineup for the first time this season on Friday. Ace right-hander Corbin Burnes — who signed a $210 million, six-year deal in the offseason — has a 2.72 ERA while Merrill Kelly, Brandon Pfaadt and Ryne Nelson have also been solid. 'This team is very, very capable of getting this thing turned around in a hurry,' Lovullo said. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. The entire NL West is also in a funk after a torrid start to the season, keeping the D-backs from falling too far behind. Arizona is fourth in the division, but just seven games off the lead behind the Dodgers, Padres and Giants. With four months of baseball left, players say there's no panic. 'When you have a 162-game season, you're not looking to have one of these stretches, but it seems like we've had one pretty much every single year and we've been able to bounce back,' designated hitter Pavin Smith said. 'Looking on years' past, knowing we've been able to get out of it, gives us confidence.' ___ AP MLB:
