PHOENIX -- D-backs right-hander Luke Weaver has tried to keep a day-to-day perspective during his rehab from a mild right flexor pronator strain and a mild right UCL sprain, but there is one scenario that has seeped into his mind.
“I want these guys to continue on a streak and put ourselves in a good [playoff] position, and then it will be super dramatic and hopefully [I could] come in and, not saving the day, but be part of something super cool,” Weaver said.
Weaver still has a ways to go, but D-backs manager Torey Lovullo remains optimistic that Weaver will see some action as a reliever before the end of the season.
On Friday, Weaver is scheduled to throw a bullpen session. His next step will likely be facing hitters for the first time in a simulated game.
“I feel great,” Weaver said. “I feel strong. Things have been going really well. There haven’t been any setbacks.”
The challenge will be finding ways to get Weaver live game action with the regular season ending soon for the D-backs' Minor League teams.
Weaver said he doesn’t know if the increased use of a cut fastball contributed in any way to his injury, but he has worked to tweak his mechanics slightly during rehab.
“During this process, I’ve cleaned up some of the mechanics,” Weaver said. “Mechanics are not always perfect, especially late in games. You can really wear down yourself if you kind of get out of what you’re doing; you put some stress on different areas.”
PLAY event
The D-backs hosted a National PLAY Campaign event Thursday afternoon at Chase Field with their medical/training staff and outfielder Steven Souza Jr. leading the way.
Created in 2004 by the Professional Baseball Athletic Trainers Society (PBATS), the PLAY (Promoting a Lifetime of Activity for Youth) campaign was formed to raise awareness about childhood health issues and disability inclusion in the United States. It is put on in conjunction with MLB Charities, the Taylor Hooton Foundation, the Henry Schein Cares Foundation and the Ruderman Family Foundation.
“I love it,” said Souza, who also participated in a similar event last year at Chase Field. “It’s a cool experience. If I can impact at least one kid’s life through this event, it means a lot to me.”
The D-backs' training staff had the kids play games using some of the team’s strength equipment and partake in drills like an agility ladder. There was also a station about healthy eating.
“It’s always a really fun opportunity to be able to give back to those kids and to be able to share our passion for a healthy lifestyle for them,” D-backs head athletic trainer Ryan DiPanfilo said. “To be able to educate them and at the same time be active with them is pretty cool.”