SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- The D-backs will undergo their first full-squad workout Monday morning, and manager Torey Lovullo knows what he wants to get across to his team when he addresses them just beforehand.
"It's about unity and family and how much we need each other," Lovullo said. "I think that's going to be the theme -- we need to continue to rely on one another like we did last year, and we laid a really good foundation down for that."
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Lovullo, who was named National League Manager of the Year during his debut season on the bench, received praise from his players for creating a positive atmosphere in the clubhouse, and he hopes to do the same again in 2018.
"I know for a fact that unity that they share; I know that family bond that they have; that love that they have for one another carried them through some tough times last season," Lovullo said.
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Early start
The D-backs' first live game will take place Wednesday at Salt River Fields when they play host to Arizona State University. That doesn't give the players much time between their first workout and a game.
"Little bit of a schedule challenge," Lovullo said. "It's not particularly done the way I would choose, but we know what we have to do to get ready."
In anticipation of that early game, the position players who have been working in camp have already started doing baserunning drills.
The D-backs do not have a game scheduled Thursday, before opening up Cactus League play Friday afternoon against the Rockies.
Live action
Position players will face pitchers in a live batting practice session Tuesday, and those who don't play against ASU on Wednesday, will once again face live BP to get ready for games.
Owings good to go
Lovullo said that infielder Chris Owings has been cleared for all baseball activity. Owings had to have a second surgery performed on his right hand during the offseason.

Up next
The D-backs will go through their first full squad workout Monday. With a longer than usual meeting beforehand, the team will not start stretching until around 10 a.m. MT.
"When you get that entire group together for the first time, that's the best day of Spring Training for me," Lovullo said. "You get to see how the machine looks and operates and some of the improvements that the guys made with their bodies and their swings."