{"id":44914,"date":"2021-03-24T13:21:17","date_gmt":"2021-03-24T17:21:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/?p=44914"},"modified":"2021-03-24T13:21:17","modified_gmt":"2021-03-24T17:21:17","slug":"diamondbacks-spring-training-20210323","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2021\/03\/24\/diamondbacks-spring-training-20210323\/","title":{"rendered":"Diamondbacks Spring Training 2021 Notes: March 23"},"content":{"rendered":"

Diamondbacks Spring Training: March 23, 2021<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Eight days remain in Arizona Diamondbacks spring training for 2021.<\/p>\n

Zac Gallen has a hairline stress fracture of his right forearm at the radial head. Manager Torey Lovullo said Gallen can, at the doctor\u2019s recommendation, play catch to a lower stress level so he\u2019s not \u201ctotally deconditioned.\u201d There is no timeline at this point, but the team will keep us updated. \u201cZac\u2019s health is our biggest concern, and we are not going to put him in jeopardy in any way.\u201d There is no damage to tendons, ligaments, or muscles. Gallen is \u201casymptomatic\u201d other than throwing his curveball.<\/p>\n

It was definitely a result of getting jammed on two straight pitches in batting practice. Despite this, Lovullo\u2019s position on the designated hitter remains the same. He loves the strategy of managing in the National League. \u201cHowever, I\u2019m not thrilled about having one of our main guys get injured.\u201d Other than liking the strategy of the National League game, he has no opinion one way or the other on the designated hitter and will support whatever the league decides.<\/p>\n

This is better news than Lovullo feared. He obviously does not want anyone to be hurt, but this is better than what it could have been. Stress fractures are typically see a recovery period of 6-8 weeks. However, this specific injury is so rare that it might not necessarily have this recovery period. Fans should not expect to see Gallen back by the start of the regular season, although that\u2019s not a guarantee.<\/p>\n

Gallen played catch Tuesday and felt great. No symptoms at all. However, until he\u2019s asymptomatic on every pitch and gets a \u201cclean bill of health,\u201d they will not put Gallen on the mound in a game situation.<\/p>\n

As of Tuesday afternoon, Lovullo had not talked to Gallen since the official diagnosis.<\/p>\n

Merrill Kelly<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Gallen is Kelly\u2019s throwing partner, so Kelly certainly did not like the injury news. \u201cIt\u2019s not very fun.\u201d However, he is encouraged by the injury being one that \u201cdoesn\u2019t sound too bad.\u201d Kelly said, \u201cFrom what I\u2019m hearing, I know he\u2019ll be alright. I know he\u2019ll be back as soon as he can.\u201d<\/p>\n

When asked how he felt about his performance Tuesday against the Seattle Mariners<\/a>, his answer was \u201cbetter.\u201d While considering all the spring games, Kelly said, \u201cThis is definitely the best I\u2019ve felt so far.\u201d He continued, \u201cAs far as all four pitches go, that was probably the best I\u2019ve executed them. That was the best they\u2019ve felt coming out of my hand. I liked the action on all of them. The changeups got some swing-and-misses. I (also) got some weak contact on the changeup.\u201d<\/p>\n

His cutter has been the pitch that has been the most challenging for him. The results Kelly got out of it Tuesday night encouraged him. \u201cI was happy with the action and the missed barrels I got on it tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lovullo \u201cthought (Kelly) was good\u201d Tuesday night. \u201cHe\u2019s very consistent with landing breaking balls\u201d but also was \u201ca little off with a couple of pitches in key moments.\u201d These pitches \u201cmissed off the end of the zone\u201d a little bit. Overall, \u201che only gave up one run, which is a really nice outing for him.\u201d<\/p>\n

COVID Volunteering<\/strong><\/h3>\n

About a dozen players and coaches volunteered Tuesday with COVID vaccination distribution. They\u2019re doing this so they can get their COVID shots as soon as the shots are available to them. Players are doing this by their own choice, since there is no mandate from the league. The team supported them, and Lovullo encouraged it. \u201cAny time you can use our platform to create a very positive message, our organization does a fantastic job of that. Our players are a special group. They would encourage the next teammate or someone they know to go out and get vaccinated.\u201d He feels that some fans waiting in line will recognize some of the players. \u201cI\u2019m sure it will create some smiles.\u201d Seeing the players also will \u201cgive people the right message about how important it is to get vaccinated.\u201d<\/p>\n

Main Photo:
\nEmbed from Getty Images<\/a>