Dbacks notes and news

Fernandez went 1-for-3 with a home run, three RBI and an additional run scored in Thursday’s spring game against Kansas City.

Fernandez homered for a second consecutive game, and all four of his Cactus League hits have gone for extra bases (.813 slugging). The 22-year-old, who hasn’t played above the Double-A level, was added to the 40-man roster during the offseason. “We know there’s still more growing he needs to do but driving baseballs the way he is … we know he’s been coming on quick and we’re paying a lot of attention to him,” Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said. A shortstop coming up through the system, Fernandez is also seeing time at third base and has played three games there this spring.

Rodriguez allowed three hits over two scoreless innings in Thursday’s spring start against the Royals.

Rodriguez averaged 93.1 mph on his four-seamer during his Cactus League debut, a tick above the 92 mph he averaged last season. The left-hander threw 31 pitches (20 strikes). Lost amid Rodriguez’s 5.02 ERA last season is that he finished 2025 in much better form, posting a 6-3 record with a 4.01 ERA following the All-Star break.

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said Thursday that Pfaadt is being “slow-played” during spring training because of a side issue that popped up over the offseason, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

Pfaadt is pitching in a backfield game Thursday and Lovullo indicated that the injury is unlikely to prevent the right-hander from being ready for the start of the season. That’s if Pfaadt is able to avoid a setback, of course. The right-hander is coming off a disappointing 2025 campaign that saw him collect a 5.25 ERA over 33 starts, but his rotation spot should be secure as long as he’s healthy.

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said Thursday that Kelly (back) could avoid the injured list and make a start in the second series of the season if he’s able to ramp up his throwing “sooner than later,” Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

It still seems more likely than not that Kelly requires a stint on the IL, as the Diamondbacks won’t risk pushing the veteran hurler too hard just to get him back a handful of days sooner. However, even if the best-case scenario for Kelly’s rehab doesn’t come to fruition, his absence probably won’t be long-term. Kelly has yet to pitch in a game this spring due to intercostal nerve irritation.

Manager Torey Lovullo said Thursday that Mena has been shut down from throwing after aggravating his strained right shoulder, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Lovullo added that there aren’t any plans in place for Mena to undergo surgery to address the issue, and the team will attempt to slowly build him back after a period of rest. The 23-year-old righty has been sidelined since he initially strained his teres major in June, and it’s unknown whether his latest setback will force him to begin the regular season on the injured list.