Flores lands on injured list with sore foot

May 22nd, 2019

SAN DIEGO -- D-backs infielder was placed on the 10-day injured list because of a right foot bruise, and the club recalled infielder from Triple-A Reno.

Flores’ injury, sustained Sunday when he was hit by a pitch from San Francisco’s Drew Pomeranz, wasn’t expected to keep him out more than a day. But Flores was bothered by the injury during pregame drills Tuesday. Manager Torey Lovullo initially thought Flores would be considered day to day, but the club announced the move to the injured list just before first pitch.

“He was just experiencing a little bit too much discomfort,” Lovullo said after the D-backs' 3-2 loss. “We didn’t have a lot of wiggle room with our bench. We figured it would be the best thing to get him on the IL, rest him up and get him to 100 percent.”

Flores, 27, has slashed .281/.326/.398 in 42 games this season, splitting time between second base and first base. He has been particularly effective vs. lefties, posting an .864 OPS.

Vargas, 27, batted .200 in 26 games with the D-backs before he was optioned to Triple-A on May 11. He thrived in eight games with Reno, slashing .406/.513/.688.

Ray to start Friday

Left-hander will start Friday at San Francisco, Lovullo said. The D-backs are off on Thursday, so Ray will be on his normal four days’ rest. The No. 5 spot, currently vacant after Zack Godley was moved to the bullpen, will be used on Saturday, Lovullo said.

The prime candidates for that start are Reno right-handers Taylor Clarke and Jon Duplantier. Saturday would be Clarke’s natural turn after he threw 78 pitches over 4 2/3 innings Monday. Duplantier threw 60 pitches across 3 1/3 innings last Saturday.

“His pitch count is not a concern,” Lovullo said of Duplantier. “He could give us 75 pitches if we decide to go that way.”

Both Clarke and Duplantier have seen big league time this season. Clarke has a 2.00 ERA in nine innings, and Duplantier has a 2.25 ERA in 12 innings. Clarke has one start to his credit.

“We feel very comfortable with both those guys,” Lovullo said.

Jones back in San Diego

Right fielder grew up in San Diego and has hit well against the Padres as a visitor, taking a .442 batting average at Petco Park into Tuesday. Like so many ballplayers from the area, he has a connection to Padres great Tony Gwynn.

Jones committed to play for Gwynn at San Diego State before he opted to sign with the Mariners after going in the first round of the 2003 Draft. Jones got a second chance to learn from Gwynn when he joined the informal group of players who would gather at SDSU to hit and work out before reporting to Spring Training each year.

“Tony Gwynn was always a guy who, if you wanted some knowledge about the game, he always offered it, no matter who you were,” Jones said. “You’re gaining knowledge just from being around his presence.”