Snake bites

• The D-backs have had three off-days so far this season, and Gibson has elected to keep his pitchers in rotation rather than skipping his fifth starter and keeping everyone on regular rest.

Gibson figures the extra rest for the starters will come in handy as the season wears on and days off become scarce.

"It certainly doesn't hurt to have extra time," Gibson said. "At some point we're going to get into it and guys are going to be taxed."

• A point of emphasis for Gibson this spring has been for the players not to try and do too much on defense and make a spectacular play that could find up leading to a throwing error. Take the routine out and minimize the damage is what he's preached, and he has been pleased with the results.

"We haven't tried to make a play that really isn't there," Gibson said.

• The D-backs have had some significant injuries so far this year, and Gibson was asked if he was worried about them impacting the team.

"I don't worry about it, they are," Gibson said. "We've lost a lot of impact guys. That's just the reality of it. We've gotten much younger. We're asking people to do stuff that maybe we didn't envision them having to do."

• Shortstop Didi Gregorius, acquired from the Reds in a three-team deal this winter, made his D-backs debut Thursday night.

"He's got pull power," Gibson said. "He's pretty aggressive at the plate, but he battles. He sees the righties really well. He said he doesn't see lefties as well and we told him to make a little adjustment, open up a little bit and get your eyes squared to the pitcher, and it's helped him a lot."