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Diamondbacks’ slump deepens as roster takes more hits
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- Diamondbacks’ slump deepens as roster takes more hits
Another day fell off the calendar, another loss added to the ledger. The Diamondbacks this weekend lost both players and games — and they might have lost some vibes, as well.
In losing, 4-2, to the Minnesota Twins on Sunday, June 21, the Diamondbacks dropped what looked like a winnable home series against a mediocre opponent. They fell to 39-38.
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More than that, there seems to be a compounding effect from all the injuries and health setbacks the club has absorbed in recent days, to the point that it has become entirely reasonable to wonder about the direction of the season.
"I feel like we are in a tough spot," shortstop Geraldo Perdomo said. "We need to fight some more. And we as an offense, we have to fight. … We have a couple of guys still hurt. We need to play good baseball before those guys come back. Those guys are important for us and we definitely need those guys."
Diamondbacks right-hander Jose Cabrera was impressive in his major-league debut Sunday, giving up no runs on three hits and no walks in five-plus innings. He threw strikes, mixed pitches and seemed in total command of the game, including in the third, when he quickly worked himself out of a jam by striking out Byron Buxton with men on second and third.
Cabrera handed off a 2-0 lead to his bullpen in the sixth. That was where things stood in the seventh, when the Twins collected four singles off reliever Juan Morillo while taking advantage of a throw from right fielder Corbin Carroll that caromed off a baserunner and into the Diamondbacks' dugout, allowing the go-ahead run to score.
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Meanwhile, the offense, which had been showing signs of life in recent days, had another sleepy afternoon, collecting just six hits and going 1 for 8 with runners in scoring position.
Not only were right-handers Ryne Nelson and Michael Soroka, and center fielder Jordan Lawlar added to the injured list this weekend, but the club also learned this month that rehabbing pitchers Corbin Burnes and A.J. Puk won't be returning as originally planned after suffering setbacks in their recoveries.
That's one starting position player, three rotation pieces and a late-inning reliever. All were expected to play key roles in the second half – and none figures to be back for at least six weeks. Taken together, it amounts to a series of significant blows for a team that looks like it needs reinforcements — or at least a jolt of energy.
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"All we know is to just keep putting it in gear and going forward," manager Torey Lovullo said. "The easy thing to do is to feel sorry for ourselves, but I don't think that group is. They're in there, they're hungry, they want to win baseball games, they know how to win baseball games and we're going to get this thing turned around."
If they do turn it around, it won't be because of a soft schedule. Six of the Diamondbacks' next seven series are against winning teams, starting with a road trip this week that takes them from St. Louis to Tampa. As it stands, at least one of the four games against the Cardinals this week might have to be a bullpen game.
"We've got to digest what happened here over the past couple of days," Lovullo said. "It's frustrating. We've got to find a way to go out to St. Louis and start a new series, a fresh series, and win Game 1."
Cabrera, at least, was a bright spot. He pitched with confidence and composure, perhaps living up to his El Caimán (The Alligator) nickname.
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"(Minor league teammate) Alfred Morillo gave me that nickname because of the way I pitch," Cabrera said, speaking through interpreter Alex Arpiza. "I'm quiet, but just with a lot of malice, a lot of ferocity."
On his way off the mound in the sixth inning, Cabrera smiled, waved and tipped his cap, saying later he was gesturing to his parents who landed in Arizona earlier in the day from the Dominican Republic.
"I just felt proud," he said. "It was always a dream of mine to play in the big leagues."
Perdomo, as it turns out, had something to do with it. Years ago, he said, he and Cabrera worked out on the same field in the Dominican. He was so impressed by the young pitcher's potential that he recommended him to Diamondbacks' executive Cesar Geronimo Jr., the club's vice president of Latin American scouting and development.
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"They didn't know (who Cabrera was) and when I told those guys to go see him, they signed him right away," Perdomo said. "I'm happy those guys could make it possible and he didn't disappoint those guys."
DBacks add Cabrera, Kohl Drake to roster
The Diamondbacks' pitching carousel continued with the promotions of right-hander Cabrera and left-hander Kohl Drake from Triple-A Reno, giving them a starter for Sunday, June 21, and a length option in the bullpen, respectively.
To make room, the Diamondbacks optioned lefty Philip Abner to Reno and designated right-hander Yilber Diaz for assignment.
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Cabrera will be making his major league debut. Signed at 19 for $10,000 out of the Dominican Republic five years ago, he has steadily climbed through the Diamondbacks' system. He posted a 3.69 ERA in 61 innings between Double-A and Triple-A prior to the promotion.
Drake, one of the players the Diamondbacks received in the Merrill Kelly trade with Texas last July, would also be debuting if he appears in a game. He has had a poor season in Triple-A Reno. He has a 7.83 ERA in 54 innings and has been working with diminished velocity compared to last season.
The Diamondbacks wanted the fresh arm in their bullpen in part because they are in the midst of a long stretch of games without a day off. Their next off day is July 2.
Moreover, they need to figure out how they are going to get through Wednesday's game against the St. Louis Cardinals . That is the next time right-hander Michael Soroka's rotation spot comes up; Soroka landed on the injured list this weekend. One possibility could be for the club to try to throw a bullpen game against the Cardinals.
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Diaz was hammered on Saturday night, June 20, in a 16-8 loss to the Minnesota Twins, giving up seven runs in two-thirds of an inning in relief.
Coming up
Monday, June 22:At St. Louis, 4:45 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Merrill Kelly (5-6, 5.81) vs. Cardinals RHP Andre Pallante (8-4, 3.76).
Tuesday, June 23:At St. Louis, 4:45 p.m., Diamondbacks LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (6-2, 2.45) vs. Cardinals RHP Kyle Leahy (5-4, 4.63).
Wednesday, June 24:At St. Louis, 4:45 p.m., Diamondbacks TBA vs. Cardinals LHP Matthew Liberatore (3-4, 5.23).
(This story has been updated to add information.)
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Twins vs Diamondbacks live updates. Cabrera strong in debut
