Diamondbacks CEO Derrick Hall endorses Lovullo’s message to starters, but will it be enough?

On Monday, the Arizona manager revealed that he called in all five of his starters to his office and addressed their overall underperformance during the team’s eight-game road trip. During the stretch, the starters posted an 8.10 ERA and allowed 34 earned runs over 34.1 innings, surrendering six home runs.

The struggles have become increasingly concerning for the Diamondbacks, as they went from an above.500 record to struggling to recover after going 2-6 on the road trip.

Hall said Lovullo’s message to the staff centered around accountability and urgency, especially with the bullpen and offense carrying much of the load.

Diamondbacks president and CEO Derrick Hall explains what went into the starters meeting skipper Torey Lovullo had recently.

His conversation with @Bickley_Marotta is presented by Freeway Chevrolet. pic.twitter.com/sfbzc6K25b

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“It’s the idea of getting everybody together and saying, ‘Hey, we’re relying on you,'” Hall said on Bickley & Marotta Mornings. “Our bullpen is doing its job. If you guys don’t get later and deeper into games, we’re going to hurt our bullpen. And our offense is keeping us in games. You guys are not. And get back to what you were doing at the beginning of the season.”

Aug 11, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo (17) walks back to the dugout during the sixth inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

It wasn’t just the comments that stood out, but who they came from. Hall, while particularly active in the team’s performance, doubling down on the meeting and backing his manager reflects an organization that feels the club has not played to the standard it expects.

With several veterans in the rotation, the significance of the meeting is crucial. It’s a rare gathering among those veterans, which makes it particularly important as the team hopes to correct the issues now before they snowball into something bigger.

A rotation unable to consistently pitch deep into games can quickly impact roster management, especially late-game effectiveness and clubhouse morale.

Milwaukee Brewers right fielder Sal Frelick (10) hits a solo home run off of Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Merrill Kelly (29) during the second inning of their game Thursday, April 28, 2026 at American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Hall believes the response from the pitchers has been positive, with both Eduardo Rodriguez and Michael Soroka pitching deep into their starts against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The only run allowed between them came on a solo home run surrendered by Soroka in the first inning on Wednesday.

“They want to do it for [Lovullo] and for our fans as much as they want to do it for themselves,” Hall said. “They don’t need to be reminded, but it’s good every once in a while to get everybody together and say, ‘Are we on the same page? Can I challenge you?'”

Apr 12, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Zac Gallen (23) looks on after leaving the game against the Philadelphia Phillies in the sixth inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images

As the D-Backs continue their homestand, the rest of the rotation will be closely watched to see whether the meeting with Lovullo ultimately shifts the tone among the starters, or if there is something deeper going on that still needs to be figured out.