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Diamondbacks’ Merrill Kelly: Live BP cancelled due to back issue
Kelly will no longer throw live BP Saturday because of mid-back tightness, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.
Kelly is battling back tightness and won’t throw his previously scheduled live BP session. The veteran right-hander will undergo further testing in the next 24 hours, at which point a status update will likely be provided. Kelly has already been named the Diamondbacks‘ Opening Day starter.
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Diamondbacks’ Jordan Lawlar: Will start opener in CF
Lawlar will start in center field in Arizona’s Cactus League opener Saturday, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports.
This will be Lawlar’s first start in center field in a Diamondbacks‘ uniform. He was given reps in center during winter ball and has been working with outfielders during spring drills. As part of the team’s adjustment to being without injured outfielders Corbin Carroll (hand) and Lourdes Gurriel (knee) for rest of spring training, Lawlar is expected to see time in the outfield in camp and into the regular season.
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Diamondbacks’ Zac Gallen: Throws live BP session
Gallen threw a live batting-practice session Friday, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.
Gallen, who was signed last week, threw his first session since entering camp. He threw about 20 pitches, and manager Torey Lovullo was pleased with what he saw. “The fastball command looked good,” the manager said. “It looked like he was throwing a nice cutter, his breaking ball I think was trending in a very positive direction.” It appears that Gallen isn’t too far behind the other starters despite missing the first handful of days in camp. The pitcher said he felt good and was given positive feedback from the batters he faced.
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Diamondbacks’ Geraldo Perdomo: Three PAs in spring opener
Perdomo batted second and went 1-for-3 in Friday’s Cactus League opener against the Rockies.
Perdomo should be a regular presence in spring lineups over the next two weeks, before he joins the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic. He’s expected to bat leadoff against right-handers and second against left-handers for Arizona during the regular season.
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Diamondbacks’ Ketel Marte: Hitless in Cactus League opener
Marte batted leadoff and went 0-for-3 in Friday’s spring game against Colorado.
Marte should get significant plate appearances over the next two weeks before he leaves camp to participate in the World Baseball Classic for the Dominican Republic. Leadoff is a familiar spot for Marte, who served atop the batting order 40 times in 2025. When not leading off, Marte is expected to bat second.