Arizona Diamondbacks: Patrick Corbin named opening day starter

Lefty Patrick Corbin will start the season on the mound for the Arizona Diamondbacks.

The reward for lefty Patrick Corbin of the Arizona Diamondbacks appears on two levels. Named as the Diamondbacks’ opening day pitcher for this Thursday night at home against the Colorado Rockies seemed just an appetizer — while Corbin was rewarded for a strong spring, equally as noteworthy that his start on opening day seems to be a belated gift.

That’s because Corbin was scheduled to the start the 2014 season against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Sydney, Australia, but developed an elbow injury just before that date. The resulting Tommy John surgery took Corbin from starting the season and threw him into a protracted and debilitating recovery period. Now, the native of Clay, N. Y. appears to have turned a complete 360 degrees and will be the first Arizona pitcher in 2018 to toe the rubber.

Before his start Friday night against the Cleveland Indians in Goodyear, Corbin was told of manager Torey Lovello’s decision but kept his cards close to the vest. Telling Call to the Pen after Friday’s game that he did not know the next assignment, Corbin, before Saturday’s game with Kansas City at Salt River, explained a certain amount of relief as well as esteem.

“When (Lovullo) told me I’d start, he did bring up 2014,” Corbin said. “I’m just honored to get another shot at this. As far as myself, I feel really good and ready to go.”

With Corbin now slated for opening day, Lovullo told Call to the Pen that lefty Robbie Ray will go in the second game of the season. Beyond announcing starters for the first two games, Lovullo would not commit. That would put Ray and Corbin, a pair of lefties in back-to-back-games against the Rockies, and that’s a situation which Lovullo told Call to the Pen is of little concern.

While Lovullo identified the opening two starters, the “x” factor remains righty Zack Greinke, who is nursing a groin injury. Scratched from his traditional opening day start, Greinke threw a 12-pitch bullpen session before Saturday’s game and has a schedule established. Going forward, Greinke will throw in a pre-season game Monday night in Chase Field against the Cleveland Indians, and then a further determination will be made relative to his availability.

The only response from Lovullo on Greinke’s brief outing on Saturday was, “Zack told me he felt good, and he threw a nice, light bullpen.”

Depending on the length of Greinke’s outing Monday night, that factor will likely determine the next time he reaches the mound in a game situation. Because the Diamondbacks have been vague on the severity of Greinke’s injury, there appears no timetable to shut down the veteran.

Before Saturday’s game, Lovullo told Call to the Pen that the organization is not considering placing Greinke on the disabled list, nor was the decision ever under deliberation.

For now, it’s Corbin taking on the Rockies before what is anticipated as a sell-out crowd in Chase Field. For Corbin, the opponent is no stranger, and he told Call to the Pen he is well prepared.

“I’ve faced them many times,” he said. “They know me, and I know them. They have most of their guys back from last season and added (catcher Chris) Iannetta, who we had here last year. It comes down to execution and making quality pitches.”

Welcome to the desert …

Before Saturday’s game, the Diamondbacks acquired infielder Deven Marrero from the Boston Red Sox in exchange for a player to be named later and cash consideration. At the same time, the club selected the contract of reliever Fernando Salas and designed right-hander Albert Suarez for assignment.

The addition of Marrero, whom Lovullo has a history when was the bench coach of the Red Sox before taking the Diamondbacks job, populates a crowded infield. Now Lovullo has four quality middle fielders and must make some hard decisions relative to Ketel Marte, Chris Owings, Nick Ahmed, and Marrero.

More from Call to the Pen

Citing Marrero as a strong fielder, Lovullo believes Marrero can hit and will show that ability That’s despite a lifetime .207 batting average in parts of three seasons with the Red Sox.

From a local vantage, Marrero attended Arizona State University and was the 2011 PAC-10 defensive player-of-the-year. He holds the Sun Devils’ freshman record with a .397 batting average in 2010.

On the diamond …

The Diamondbacks and Kansas City Royals played to a 4-4 deadlock on Saturday afternoon before 12,514, another sellout at Salt River.

Zack Godley turned in seven strong innings and allowed just two hits. One hit was a homer by Mike Moustakas, who was the second batter of the game. Godley reached 81 pitches, and the goal was at least six innings and 90 pitches.

Next: Zack Greinke, a defining moment may come shortly

At this point, Lovullo is not sure about Godley’s initial start of the season, but it appears that could be sometime next week against the Dodgers in Chase Field.

Home / Arizona Diamondbacks