Before the series finale against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo gave health updates on the status of first baseman Christian Walker and Ketel Marte. Lovullo told reporters, including Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports, that Walker will not need another camp day and is on track to return when the team takes on the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park on Tuesday. Ketel Marte is not too far behind and could be back before the end of the road trip.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Ketel Marte’s return is a possibility during this upcoming road trip, Torey Lovullo said.
Walker is expected to be back first.
— Alex Weiner (@alexjweiner) September 2, 2024
That’s encouraging news for a lineup that missed their most two impactful bats. Walker has been out since July 30 with a left oblique strain, with Josh Bell picking up much of the slack at first base. Marte suffered a left ankle contusion against the Phillies on August 10, then reaggravated the injury on August 18 when his cleat dug into the ground. It sounds more like he’ll be back for the series against the Houston Astros next weekend.
The Diamondbacks will have to make roster moves for when those two come off the injured list. The obvious candidates to send down to Reno are first baseman Pavin Smith and outfielder Jorge Barrosa. Lovullo said that Josh Bell will play when Walker comes off the injured list, as there will be a protocol to play with their starting first baseman. Bell would slot in as the primary designated hitter against left-handed pitching.
Another injury situation to monitor is Lourdes Gurriel Jr., who left the Diamondbacks 14-3 win over the Dodgers with left calf tightness after the sixth inning. He’s set to undergo an MRI on that calf, so there may be an update on his status after the game. Should Gurriel need to go on the injured list, he’d be the obvious active roster move to make way for Walker.
With the Arizona Fall League fast approaching, one topic that has been discussed has been including right-hander Drey Jameson on the list of players they send down there. Lovullo told Jesse Friedman of PHNX Sports that “it’s a possibility for sure”.
Torey Lovullo said that the Diamondbacks have had discussions about Drey Jameson participating in the Arizona Fall League.
“It’s a possibility for sure,” he said.
— Jesse Friedman (@JesseNFriedman) September 2, 2024
Jameson has spent all season on the 60-day injured list, recovering from Tommy John surgery last September. He ruptured the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow in July 6 of last season and spent two months rehabbing before deciding to undergo surgery. Going to the Fall League would get him some reps on the mound, more than a year after surgery, before entering a critical 2025 season.
Given his makeup, overpowering stuff, and injury history, he’s a logical fit to be converted to a reliever. As a starter he’s 94-98 MPH with two different fastballs, but as a reliever he can regularly hit 98-101 MPH with a big-breaking slider. It’s important for the team to try to find a role he can stick in, as they’ve lost a year of control to a major arm injury.
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Michael McDermott covers the Arizona Diamondbacks, Arizona Cardinals, and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on X via @MichaelMcDMLB
