ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS
UPDATED: MARCH 18, 2023 AT 1:16 PM
Manager Torey Lovullo #17 of the Arizona Diamondbacks speaks to the media throughout the Spring Education Cactus League Media Day at Arizona Biltmore on Wednesday, February 15, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Pictures through Getty Pictures)
Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo is watching each and every single play in the Globe Baseball Classic to monitor his players representing their nations.
He told Arizona Sports’ Burns & Gambo that the organization would under no circumstances block a player participating, but he dug deeper on the element of collaboration in between clubs and the national teams.
“We saw that Ketel (Marte) had played center field and (Dominican Republic basic manager) Nelson Cruz and (manager) Rodney Linares graciously accepted the telephone contact,” Lovullo mentioned. “I explained to them that it wasn’t what we wanted Ketel to do. He hadn’t played the outfield in more than a year, we hadn’t educated him or grilled him in that position.
“I asked them if they wouldn’t thoughts placing him back at second base and circled back to it a couple occasions to make certain that the message was loud and clear. Rodney decided that the contact was was completely timed. He accepted it and he got him into second base.”
It is a hard balance, as national teams are attempting to win a tournament that signifies so a great deal to lots of players and fans.
Group USA captain Mike Trout named it the most enjoyable knowledge he’s had on a baseball field Wednesday at Chase Field. A number of Dominican players mentioned in a video that winning the WBC would imply a lot more than a Globe Series.
However, it is spring education and clubs are gearing up for Opening Day in much less than two weeks.
Group USA manager Mark DeRosa spoke about the balance of managing a pitching employees to win although adhering to companion club demands soon after a loss to Mexico in group play at Chase Field. He noted it is his duty to not jeopardize any MLB team’s season.
That mentioned, D-backs basic manager Mike Hazen named the WBC an extraordinary knowledge for his players.
“I believe Alek Thomas playing in that game the other evening at Chase Field with 50,000 folks there … I believe Merrill going out there representing Group USA on a unique stage — one particular that does not get produced all the time in the National League West or in any big league typical season game — I believe it tends to make a enormous distinction,” Hazen told Arizona Sports’ Wolf & Luke on Wednesday.
“It’s an knowledge they wouldn’t get otherwise, I believe it is only good for them to get to see that stuff. The subsequent time you get to see it, you see it in the playoffs.”
Hazen noted that Zac Gallen, Corbin Carroll and Jordan Lawlar attended the USA-Mexico game to knowledge the packed and enthusiastic Chase Field atmosphere.
Injuries and the WBC came to the forefront on Wednesday with Puerto Rico and New York Mets closer Edwin Diaz — fresh off signing an extension — suffering a prospective season-ending patella tear in his knee although celebrating a win more than the Dominican Republic.
Lovullo mentioned he was sorry to see it take place, but danger of injury is present each and every time players take the field.
He pointed to D-backs reliever Corbin Martin suffering a lat tear in spring education this week as an instance that something can take place.
“Make certain you are in shape, make certain that issues are okay, and if they’re not, that is when we would intervene,” Lovullo mentioned. “But we felt like all the athletes that we sent off are prepared to go, prepared to compete at a higher level.”
Thomas and Group Mexico earned a spot in the semifinals against Japan soon after defeating Puerto Rico on Friday.
Kelly and Group USA reached the quarterfinals and a matchup with Venezuela set for Saturday at four p.m. The winner will take on Cuba in the semifinals.