DENVER -- D-backs manager Torey Lovullo said his heart skipped a beat when Rockies pitcher Carlos Estevez's pitch ran up and in near Chris Iannetta's head Wednesday night.
Iannetta, who had been struck in the face earlier this season, was able to get his head out of the way as the ball hit off his left hand. Lovullo and a trainer went out immediately to check on him.
"He's such a tough guy that he just bounces up so you don't accept that at first," Lovullo said. "You go look at him and he tells you he's OK and you kind of laugh off the moment. I'm not a huge fan of a ball in that area. I don't think anybody in this game is. You saw what it did to him the first time -- it practically tore his face apart. I hate to see balls in that area. I know their pitcher didn't do it on purpose, but it's not something I'm in huge favor of."
Later in the game, Iannetta rolled his right ankle while legging out a double.
Lovullo went out to check on him at second base as well, but Iannetta insisted on staying in the game.
"Once again you want to go out there and make sure he's OK," Lovullo said. "The first thing he said was, 'I'm sorry for making you come out here again, I really didn't need you to.' But when you see someone as tough as him show you that he's not right, you want to make sure he's OK."
Keeping it light
The D-backs have not hit on the field the past two days as a concession to both the hot weather and the toll that playing at high altitude can take on players.
They have, however, taken some grounders each day, and right-hander Zack Greinke has taken some easy ones at first base just for fun.
"I think it's fun that there's a little crossover," Lovullo said. "It adds a little levity to the moment. He's actually a great athlete. He doesn't think his ability is as good as it actually is. But he's a freak out there."
Injury updates
D-backs outfielder A.J. Pollock (groin) is expected to go through regular pregame work with Triple-A Reno on Thursday night after being backed off a bit following a tight right quad.
"If everything is pans out the way we're anticipating then he will most likely play in the game [Friday]," Lovullo said.
Outfielder Yasmany Tomas, who is also on the disabled list with a right groin injury, was expected to run the bases Thursday at the team's Salt River Field complex.
"He's feeling great," Lovullo said. "But there's something in there that was continuing to make him feel uncomfortable and we don't him to come back unless he's ready to go. We don't want to keep pushing forward unless he's ready to go, but feeling great are the comments we're hearing and that's very encouraging."