Lefty
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TUCSON, Ariz. -- The Diamondbacks played a controlled intrasquad game Tuesday, which saw Luis Gonzalez make some throws from the outfield as well as a power display by some of the organization's younger players.
With coaches pitching, the offense put on a display, hampering some of the situational hitting the club hoped to work on.
"I'll be honest with you, we didn't get what we expected to get," D-Backs manager Bob Brenly said. "Too much offense. In an ideal world we were going to combine the situational hitting we've been working on with our defensive fundamentals and our base running fundamentals all in one simulated game situation. Unfortunately, the hitters were way too good."
Chad Tracy, Tim Olson and Scott Hairston, who are competing for the final bench spot, each homered.
"It's obvious they're not taking anything for granted," Brenly said of the players competing for spots. "Even though we were out there playing a simulated game, hitting off coaches, they were approaching it like Game 7 of the World Series."
Gonzalez made several throws from the outfield and said after the game that his elbow felt good. He will continue to strengthen the elbow. At the end of last season, Gonzalez was diagnosed with a Grade 2 sprain of the ulnar collateral ligament. He spent the winter strengthening the elbow in an effort to avoid surgery.
"We've got five weeks to make sure he doesn't have to think about throwing the ball," head athletic trainer Paul Lessard said. "He just does it."
Tuesday was the first time the D-Backs' players were given signs and predictably there were some issues. Players have to adapt to the way new third-base coach Al Pedrique gives signs, which is different from his predecessor, Eddie Rodriguez.
"We will get better at that," Brenly said.
Tender elbows: Relievers Brandon Lyon and Oscar Villarreal are both suffering from flexor mass strains in their right elbows and have been shut down.
Villarreal said he hurt his elbow by throwing too hard when he began throwing last month and he has not thrown off a mound since camp opened.
Lyon, meanwhile, waited longer than usual to begin his throwing program this winter and said that might have contributed to his problem. He threw bullpen sessions twice after camp began, but stopped throwing off the mound after his Feb. 24 session.
Neither injury is considered serious and should not put their status for Opening Day in doubt. Both pitchers have been playing catch at 120 feet. Villarreal should be able to get back on the mound next week, while Lyon could follow at the end of next week at the earliest.
A first at first: Olson played first base during the intrasquad game, the first time he has ever played the position in his career.
Olson has played second, short, third and all three outfield positions and Tuesday he added first base to his repertoire. He hopes the versatility will give him a leg up in the battle for the final bench spot.
"It was alright," Olson said. "It was an experience. I guess one thing I learned is that I took for granted what it would be like to play there. Everything is different over there and there's a lot going on."
Gosling update: Left-hander Mike Gosling is scheduled to play catch Thursday and Friday from 150 feet and if all goes well, he could be back on the mound Monday.
Gosling had arthroscopic surgery on his left shoulder in September to repair a small tear in the labrum and rotator cuff. He has not thrown off a mound this spring.
Bell tolls: Former Diamondback Jay Bell will arrive at minor league camp Thursday to serve as an instructor in the club's mini camp for minor leaguers.
After Thursday's initial visit, Bell will settle into a Monday-Wednesday-Friday routine. He will work not only with the physical aspect of playing the infield, but also try and teach players what it takes from a mental standpoint to be successful in the big leagues.
"I want our young players to take the Jay Bell 101 class," said Tommy Jones, the D-Backs' director of player development.
Sign here: The Diamondbacks signed pitchers Shane Nance, John Patterson, Mike Koplove and infielder Tracy to one-year contracts Tuesday
With coaches pitching, the offense put on a display, hampering some of the situational hitting the club hoped to work on.
"I'll be honest with you, we didn't get what we expected to get," D-Backs manager Bob Brenly said. "Too much offense. In an ideal world we were going to combine the situational hitting we've been working on with our defensive fundamentals and our base running fundamentals all in one simulated game situation. Unfortunately, the hitters were way too good."
Chad Tracy, Tim Olson and Scott Hairston, who are competing for the final bench spot, each homered.
"It's obvious they're not taking anything for granted," Brenly said of the players competing for spots. "Even though we were out there playing a simulated game, hitting off coaches, they were approaching it like Game 7 of the World Series."
Gonzalez made several throws from the outfield and said after the game that his elbow felt good. He will continue to strengthen the elbow. At the end of last season, Gonzalez was diagnosed with a Grade 2 sprain of the ulnar collateral ligament. He spent the winter strengthening the elbow in an effort to avoid surgery.
"We've got five weeks to make sure he doesn't have to think about throwing the ball," head athletic trainer Paul Lessard said. "He just does it."
Tuesday was the first time the D-Backs' players were given signs and predictably there were some issues. Players have to adapt to the way new third-base coach Al Pedrique gives signs, which is different from his predecessor, Eddie Rodriguez.
"We will get better at that," Brenly said.
Tender elbows: Relievers Brandon Lyon and Oscar Villarreal are both suffering from flexor mass strains in their right elbows and have been shut down.
Villarreal said he hurt his elbow by throwing too hard when he began throwing last month and he has not thrown off a mound since camp opened.
Lyon, meanwhile, waited longer than usual to begin his throwing program this winter and said that might have contributed to his problem. He threw bullpen sessions twice after camp began, but stopped throwing off the mound after his Feb. 24 session.
Neither injury is considered serious and should not put their status for Opening Day in doubt. Both pitchers have been playing catch at 120 feet. Villarreal should be able to get back on the mound next week, while Lyon could follow at the end of next week at the earliest.
A first at first: Olson played first base during the intrasquad game, the first time he has ever played the position in his career.
Olson has played second, short, third and all three outfield positions and Tuesday he added first base to his repertoire. He hopes the versatility will give him a leg up in the battle for the final bench spot.
"It was alright," Olson said. "It was an experience. I guess one thing I learned is that I took for granted what it would be like to play there. Everything is different over there and there's a lot going on."
Gosling update: Left-hander Mike Gosling is scheduled to play catch Thursday and Friday from 150 feet and if all goes well, he could be back on the mound Monday.
Gosling had arthroscopic surgery on his left shoulder in September to repair a small tear in the labrum and rotator cuff. He has not thrown off a mound this spring.
Bell tolls: Former Diamondback Jay Bell will arrive at minor league camp Thursday to serve as an instructor in the club's mini camp for minor leaguers.
After Thursday's initial visit, Bell will settle into a Monday-Wednesday-Friday routine. He will work not only with the physical aspect of playing the infield, but also try and teach players what it takes from a mental standpoint to be successful in the big leagues.
"I want our young players to take the Jay Bell 101 class," said Tommy Jones, the D-Backs' director of player development.
Sign here: The Diamondbacks signed pitchers Shane Nance, John Patterson, Mike Koplove and infielder Tracy to one-year contracts Tuesday
