Ahmed out on personal matter; Marte OK

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- D-backs shortstop Nick Ahmed was scratched from the starting lineup Tuesday, but it was not related to a right knee injury that had kept him out of action for a week.

Instead, D-backs manager Torey Lovullo and general manager Mike Hazen said Ahmed was going to attend to a "personal matter" and they were not sure how long he would be gone.

"The knee is fine," Lovullo said.

Ahmed was initially scratched from the lineup on March 8 with right knee soreness. He took six at-bats, but did not run the bases or play defense in a simulated game Monday. Lovullo had planned to have him start Tuesday against the A's before the personal issue came up.

Ahmed is 2-for-8 in Cactus League games this spring.

When asked if he was concerned about whether the injury, and now, his absence, would cause Ahmed to not be ready for Opening Day, Hazen said, "I’m not concerned right now."

Bukauskas among the cuts

The D-backs continued paring down their roster, optioning right-handers J.B. Bukauskas and Corbin Martin along with shortstop Geraldo Perdomo and outfielder Stuart Fairchild to Triple-A Reno.

First baseman Seth Beer was reassigned to Minor League camp.

The only surprise in the bunch was Bukauskas, who had not allowed a baserunner while striking out nine in four appearances over four innings this spring.

Bukauskas came over from Houston in the Zack Greinke trade at the deadline in 2019 and has yet to pitch in the big leagues. The 24-year-old spent last season at the team's alternate site.

A starter throughout his time in the Minors, the D-backs transitioned him to the bullpen this spring and he seemed to really take to the role. He will remain in the bullpen in the Minors for at least the near future, Lovullo said.

When asked how Bukauskas could get sent down after having so much success this spring, Lovullo indicated that he needed to refine some things.

"I think you guys are focused on one thing such as three or four scoreless innings and basically overmatching every hitter that he faced," Lovullo said. "We're looking at different things -- controlling the running game, consistency of pitches that are landing in certain spots, sign sequences, understanding the importance of all those little things that eliminate the black noise. He's on the right path. He's very close. We just felt like he needs a little bit more fine tuning in those areas."

Marte is OK

Ketel Marte rolled his left ankle a little bit coming into third base in the bottom of the third inning of Tuesday's 12-3 win and was examined by a team trainer.

Lovullo said he elected to remove Marte, who had homered earlier, from the game at the end of the inning as a precaution and that the team was not concerned about the issue.

Bumgarner gets through four

Madison Bumgarner tossed four innings against the A's on Tuesday, allowing a pair of runs on three hits while striking out three. He threw 64 pitches, 39 for strikes.

Both of the runs came via solo homers by Jed Lowrie and Chad Pinder in the fourth inning.

"Pretty good," Bumgarner said. "Today wasn't bad and you know, it's really just two pitches that I'd obviously like to do over again. The rest of them I felt pretty good about. It was nice to get up and down four times, get some at-bats and kind of feel like a regular game."