SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Steven Souza Jr., who is looking to put a disappointing 2018 season behind him, got his spring off to a good start with a three-run homer in his first Cactus League at-bat.
Souza’s homer was one of the few offensive bright spots for the D-backs as they fell, 7-3, to the Rockies at Salt River Fields in Saturday's spring opener.
Souza, who injured his right pectoral muscle diving for a ball in Spring Training last year and never got 100 percent healthy, hit .220 with a .678 OPS in 241 at-bats in 2018.
“You’re just trying to find your timing for the first few games and see as many pitches as possible,” Souza said. “But I think I was a little passive last spring, and I couldn’t kind of feel where my swing was at, at times. I’m trying to revert that and treat it like a normal game. If I see a good pitch, I’m going to swing. It was obviously a good result out of the gate, but it’s just something to build on.”
Dyson likely Monday
Center fielder Jarrod Dyson was hampered last year by core injuries, so D-backs manager Torey Lovullo wanted to give him a little extra time before getting him into a spring game.
With the outfield still a little slick Saturday from recent rain and a road trip to Goodyear, Ariz., on Sunday, Lovullo is targeting Monday for Dyson’s first game action.
Speaking of going slowly
Lovullo plans on monitoring the workload for reliever Yoshihisa Hirano this spring after the right-hander appeared in 75 games last year, his first since coming over from Japan.
Hirano, who will be 35 this spring, was fifth in the National League in appearances.
“Not necessarily hold him back, but monitor things,” Lovullo said.
Lovullo said the D-backs have talked with each of their veteran relievers to find out what innings mark they would like to reach this spring, and they will base their workloads off that.
Good first step
Jake Lamb started at first base Saturday as he tries to make the transition across the diamond from third.
“It’s the little things,” Lovullo said. “It’s the pickoffs with the tags, it’s knowing your space, what type of ball to attack, how to lead the pitcher coming across the bag, and I thought he did a really nice job. So overall, it was a nice day for him.”
Up next
The D-backs travel to Goodyear to take on the Indians on Sunday with Robbie Ray making his first start of the spring. John Ryan Murphy will catch, and Yasmany Tomas is expected to see some time at first base. Yoan Lopez, who is competing for a bullpen spot, is scheduled to throw in relief.