Diamondbacks Spring Training: April 2, 2022
Saturday saw another Arizona Diamondbacks spring training workout in the afternoon. That evening, they hosted the Chicago White Sox in a 6:05 pm Cactus League exhibition game. Diamondbacks righty Merrill Kelly faced fellow right-hander Lance Lynn.
Merrill Kelly
Merrill Kelly had another strong outing, keeping up the roll he’s been on this spring. He went four innings, allowing one unearned run on one hit while striking out five and walking none. His outing lasted for 14 batters and 62 pitches.
After the game, Kelly said his outing was “not too bad. I’m feeling a little tired today, I think just because of going from day to night games. Usually I’m used to almost being in bed by now. I had to take a little nap today, but other than that I felt good.”
Kelly said he wasn’t working on anything in particular in this outing. “(I was) trying to throw everything, trying to make it as close to what I would do next weekend.”
Torey Lovullo Postgame
Manager Torey Lovullo “thought Merrill was effective. He threw his four innings…. We had a chance to run him out there and maybe touch the fifth inning, but we decided that because there was a long inning that we were going to work against that idea.”
Kelly came very close to reaching his allotted pitch count for the game. “We were trying to get him to 70,” Lovullo said. “I think he ended up at 67. So we felt like we were gonna get him into that 85-pitch range for his next start. We were a couple short of that, and we’ll be mindful of it. Nobody’s going to break the bank here on their first outing. We’re gonna stick to a pitch count and be very mindful of where they are leading up to that point.”
Lovullo still has not officially named the Opening Day starter yet, since he has not told that person yet that he’s starting. However, counting backward from Opening Day shows that it will be Madison Bumgarner.
Roland Hemond Remembered
Prior to the game, the Diamondbacks and White Sox held a memorial service for longtime executive Roland Hemond, who passed away in December at the age of 92. Hemond worked in baseball for 70 years, including stops with the Diamondbacks, White Sox, Los Angeles Angels, Milwaukee Braves, and Baltimore Orioles. His positions included scouting director and general manager. Speakers included White Sox and Chicago Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf, White Sox manager Tony La Russa, Diamondbacks president Derrick Hall, and the original general manager of the Diamondbacks, Joe Garagiola, Jr.
Over a dozen members of the Hemond family attended. Guests included Diamondbacks owner Ken Kendrick, Baseball Hall of Fame president Josh Rawitch, Hall of Famer Jim Thome, Diamondbacks legend Luis Gonzalez, Diamondbacks general manager Mike Hazen, White Sox Executive Vice President Ken Williams, and White Sox general manager Rick Hahn, among others.
Roland Hemond’s Legacy
Hemond left behind a legacy that can never truly be measured. The Arizona Fall League, for example, was his brainchild. In addition, Arizona’s chapter of the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) is named the Hemond Chapter. (Editor’s Note: The author of this article is the treasurer of the Hemond Chapter.) Hemond holds a special place in the hearts of those who knew him and will sorely be missed. In his memory, the Diamondbacks will wear a “RH” memorial patch on their right sleeve throughout the 2022 season.
Lovullo did not know Hemond very well, but their encounters were always positive. “He was always just a beautiful, generous man with his time and conversation.” Lovullo has one special memory of Hemond, however. “He was actually the first email that I got on my new DBacks email when I was hired. So I’ll never forget that. He reached out immediately, congratulating me and welcoming me to this Arizona Diamondbacks family. It was a special moment for me to read that.”
Looking Ahead
Diamondbacks spring training continues Sunday, April 3. They will hold camp in the morning before hosting the Cincinnati Reds at 1:05 pm. Reds lefty Nick Lodolo will face Diamondbacks righty Corbin Martin.
Main Photo:
Players mentioned:
Merrill Kelly, Lance Lynn, Torey Lovullo, Madison Bumgarner, Tony La Russa, Jim Thome, Luis Gonzalez, Ken Williams, Nick Lodolo, Corbin Martin
