Arizona Diamondbacks News, 4/20: Blunt Force Trauma

Team news

[Dbacks.com] Carroll, D-backs downplay star’s back injury following early exit – The television broadcast showed him grimacing after a swing in the bottom of the third inning and then appearing to stretch out his back in right field in the top of the fourth. Both Carroll and manager Torey Lovullo downplayed any concern, and both said he would have remained in the game if not for the lopsided score.“He’s definitely got some low back issues that have been taking place,” Lovullo said. “You know, I told you guys that there were some things that were happening around his body, but he’s just tightly wound.” “It’s just a little tightness,” Carroll said. “It was enough where, in a game like that, I was fine getting out of there — but in a closer game, [I] definitely would have stayed in there.” [Arizona Sports] Brandon Pfaadt on move to bullpen: ‘Good opportunity to grow’ – With Merrill Kelly returning this past week from the injured list, the D-backs decided to move Pfaadt to the bullpen, a new experience for him with one career relief appearance after an opener in 2023. “It’s a little different, but it’s a good opportunity to grow from and go out there and have a different perspective of the game,” Pfaadt said on Friday. “Probably keep it more extended, stretched out, but obviously depends on the situation and everything, but probably more than likely still built up to a degree,” he added on his role. [SI] What D-backs’ Series Win Over Blue Jays Told Us — And What It Didn’t – Geraldo Perdomo has been one of the savviest, most mature players on the D-backs in recent years. But he’s had some struggles on both sides of the ball this season. That came to a head in game two, as he made outs on the bases twice and made a costly defensive mistake that led to a run scoring. Manager Torey Lovullo gave Perdomo the day off in the series finale as a result. The manager maintained his confidence in the shortstop, but it is a bit uncharacteristic to see Perdomo make mistakes of this nature.

And, elsewhere…

[ESPN] Mets’ losing streak reaches 11 games; longest since 2004 – The losses are piling up for the New York Mets, and Francisco Lindor thinks the criticism surrounding the team is about to get very loud. New York dropped its 11th consecutive game when closer Devin Williams blew a ninth-inning lead in a 2-1 loss to the Chicago Cubs in 10 innings Sunday. It’s the longest slide for the Mets since they lost 11 in a row from Aug. 28 to Sept. 8 in 2004. “Eleven losses, that’s a lot, whether it’s in April or any point of the season,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said. “But nobody is going to feel sorry for us. We have got to find a way.” [MLB] Miller blanks his way to 1 inning shy of franchise scoreless streak record – “Success is a scary place sometimes, where you get complacent,” he said. “So I’m just staying up on everything and always focusing on getting a little better.” Better? It’s hard to imagine Miller being better than *this*. Forget runs. He is barely even allowing baserunners. He’s faced 38 hitters this season, and only four have reached — two via walks and two via singles. Of those 38 hitters, Miller has punched out 27 of them — a ridiculous 71.1% clip. That 71.1% strikeout rate is the highest by a pitcher in his first 11 appearances of a season since at least 1900. Put it this way: Miller struck out two of the three Angels hitters he faced on Sunday afternoon — and his strikeout rate *went down.*