Gallen behind schedule as camp opens

Marte misses workout with eye irritation; Bumgarner throws bullpen session

March 14th, 2022

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- The D-backs held their first full-squad workout of the spring Monday morning at Salt River Fields.

Here's a recap of the day:

News of the day: Gallen a bit behind schedule
Right-hander Zac Gallen was diagnosed with bursitis in his right shoulder during the offseason and will be a bit delayed in his throwing progression this spring.

D-backs manager Torey Lovullo said Gallen experienced some stiffness in the shoulder while throwing during the winter, and an MRI showed the bursitis. Gallen is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Tuesday, but unlike some of the other starters, he will not jump right into batting practice, instead throwing several bullpens first.

Will the setback put Opening Day in jeopardy for Gallen?

"I don't know that answer right now," Lovullo said. "We'll find out in the coming days about how he's feeling, but all indications are he's feeling very, very good."

Gallen missed Opening Day last year after sustaining a hairline fracture in his right forearm, and he was again on the injured list later in the year with a minor sprain of his right ulnar collateral ligament.

The 26-year-old Gallen is expected to be a key part of Arizona's rotation this year, so his health this spring will be a big storyline to keep an eye on.

Marte held out Monday
Second baseman Ketel Marte was held out of Monday's workout with some eye irritation. Marte said that something got into his eye while he was changing his contact lenses.

"Just kind of some irritation, but I'll be ready tomorrow," Marte said.

Speaking of Marte
After spending the past few years bouncing between center field and second base, it appears the D-backs are going to focus on having Marte play second in 2022.

"I'll be ready for wherever Torey needs me," Marte said. "I'll give 100 percent of myself, but I think it is better for me to stay at second base."

Bumgarner feeling good
Left-hander Madison Bumgarner threw his first bullpen session of the spring Monday and felt better than normal for this time of year.

"I usually come in and get my feet wet a little," Bumgarner said. "Today, stepped up the intensity just a touch for what I would usually do on the first day and everything felt good."

Bumgarner will again work this spring on trying to lock down his changeup, a pitch that has been a challenge over the years for him to get a consistent feel for.

"Earlier in the winter, it was as good as it's ever been, I thought I might have had a good one," Bumgarner said. "And then it disappeared on me like it always does. It's starting to stay longer when it comes and visits, so as long as I can keep it around longer each time, we might be onto something."

All but two
Closer Mark Melancon and right-hander Edwin Uceta were the only two players not in camp for Monday's first workout.

Both players were out of the country at the time the labor agreement was reached, which complicated their travel getting home. The pair is expected to be in attendance in the next day or two.

DH changes approach
With the designated hitter now being used in the National League, the D-backs' pitchers will not take any batting practice or bunting practice, something they've always emphasized in past springs.

Another change -- Bumgarner, who loves to hit, said for the first time he did not bring any bats to Spring Training or fill out an order for them for the regular season.

No regulars Thursday
Don't look for any of the D-backs' regulars -- or even 40-man roster players -- to be in the lineup Thursday when they play their first Cactus League game of the spring against the Rockies.

Lovullo said the team will use Minor League players, who have been in camp for a few weeks now, for the first few games until the recently reported players have gotten more practice reps.