Diamondbacks: Paul Goldschmidt out of the lineup again Friday
By Joseph Jacquez
The status of Arizona Diamondbacks’ first baseman Paul Goldschmidt remains uncertain
We expected Paul Goldschmidt back in the lineup for Friday’s series and homestand opener against the San Diego Padres at Chase Field.
But, when the Arizona Diamondbacks released their lineup for game one against the Friars, Goldschmidt’s was no where to be found.
The N.L. MVP candidate will miss his fifth straight game and Daniel Descalso will start at first base and bat fifth.
Here is how the Diamondbacks will line up against Padres’ right hander Jordan Lyles (0-2, 6.71 ERA):
- David Peralta – LF
- Ketel Marte – SS
- Jake Lamb – 3B
- J.D. Martinez – RF
- Descalso – 1B
- A.J. Pollock – CF
- Brandon Drury – 2B
- Chris Herrmann – C
- Patrick Corbin – P
The Diamondbacks will certainly miss Goldschmidt against Lyles. In his career, Goldy is 9-for-19 with a home run off the Padres’ righty.
Goldschmidt was expected back as of Friday morning. But team protocol required Goldschmidt to go through a normal pregame routine. He took batting practice and reportedly played catch in left field with head athletic trainer Ken Crenshaw.
Before the game, Lovullo told the media Goldschmidt once again insisted he was good to go, but the first-year skipper said, based on what the medical people told him, he wanted to give him a day to do baseball activities and get back up to speed.
If the team’s wild card position was less secure Lovullo did say he might have done things differently .
What the Diamondbacks are having Goldschmidt do makes perfect sense. Starting him tonight, with no baseball activities under his belt the last five days, is risky.
There is a possibility Goldschmidt could pinch hit and if the pregame activities went well, could return Saturday.
Stay tuned Diamondbacks fans!
Goldy going through full pregame routine, including batting practice m, today and if everything goes OK likely starts tomorrow for @Dbacks. pic.twitter.com/BEV1qBIruH
— Bally Sports Arizona (@BALLYSPORTSAZ) September 8, 2017
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Possible Setback
In other news, Lovullo told the media in his pregame media session that Randall Delgado felt stiffness in his right elbow when he woke up Thursday.
Delgado made a rehab appearance for Hillsboro Wednesday and pitched a scoreless first.
Lovullo is not ready to call this a setback and the next step for the right hander is unclear.
What is clear is the Diamondbacks could use the services of “Pupi.”
In 26 games (six starts) this season, Delgado has a 3.59 ERA and 60 strikeouts in 62.2 innings. In the franchise’s history, Delgado’s durability and versatility is largely unmatched. Delgado’s 236 games played is fifth all time in team history.
While the team has not needed much length out of the bullpen this season, it is always good to have Delgado back their, especially if the Diamondbacks hold on to a postseason spot.
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