CINCINNATI -- Paul Goldschmidt has been one of the better basestealing first basemen in baseball the last couple of years, but he has not used that particular skill as much this season. Goldschmidt has stolen at least 15 bases in five of his six full seasons in the Major Leagues, but he has only stolen four on seven attempts in 114 games so far this year. D-backs manager Torey Lovullo says a lot of that responsibility falls on him.
"I have probably taken that out of his hands a little bit," Lovullo said. "We are trying to preserve him a little. He has a lot of gifts and we don't want to take those away. We have still been allowing it from time to time, but just not as frequently."
Goldschmidt stole 18 bases last season and a career-high 32 in 2016. Part of the decision to cut back on his movement on the basepaths is the fact his number of games played is going to be among the highest of his career. Goldschmidt has played in all but two of the D-backs' 117 games this season.
"When you slide you get banged around a little," Lovullo said. "I have allowed him to run in spurts, but I have been very conscious about preserving him."
Soreness not a problem for Souza
Outfielder Steven Souza Jr. was experiencing a little bit of soreness after crashing into the wall in the third inning of Tuesday's 5-2 loss to the Phillies. Souza was not in the lineup for Wednesday's game in Philadelphia. Lovullo said it was a scheduled day off and Souza was back in the lineup for Friday's game against the Reds.
"He was a little banged up from the fall, but he is feeling fine," Lovullo said.
Souza has been limited to 39 games this season while dealing with a strained right pectoral muscle, an injury he initially suffered in Spring Training and aggravated on May 18.