PHOENIX — Spring training is over, as the Arizona Diamondbacks wrapped up their two-game exhibition series with the Cleveland Guardians at Chase Field on Tuesday and hit the road to Los Angeles for Opening Day.
It was an ugly couple games for Arizona to wrap up the spring slate, having lost the two games by a combined score of 17-5. But the sights are set on getting off to a good start despite the difficult early-season schedule.
The D-backs open 2026 with the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday and return to Chase Field for the home opener on Monday against the Detroit Tigers.
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The club entered camp with the intention to ramp up its intensity in order to start the season sharper than the previous two, and many players have already participated in high-stakes games in the World Baseball Classic.
“We had an energized camp,” Manager Torey Lovullo said.
“We got a lot out of spring training this year. Not that we haven’t in years past, but I think there was just a different intensity. So when I tell you guys that I feel like this group is really ready to go out and compete, I do mean it. Despite what happened out there today, let’s throw that out the window.”
The Diamondbacks will have an optional workout Wednesday at Dodger Stadium to prepare for the opener with Zac Gallen on the mound against L.A.’s Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
For what it is worth (probably not much), the D-backs went 15-15-1 in spring training, finishing 10th in runs scored and 24th in ERA.
Ketel Marte scratched
Arizona’s Tuesday lineup initially had Ketel Marte starting at second base, but he was scratched. Lovullo said he was experiencing some lower-leg soreness and decided to give him the opportunity to rest up for the regular season. There is no concern he will miss Opening Day.
“He just felt like ‘I’m good, I don’t need that at-bat. I’m a little bit sore. So, let me take this time off,'” Lovullo said. “So that made sense to me.”
Merrill Kelly plan
Starter Merrill Kelly pitched into the third inning Monday against Cleveland and got his pitch count up to 52. Kelly allowed five runs, including two home runs, but he felt good about how his body felt after the outing.
“Timing and mechanically-wise, still building up, so there’s definitely still some work to do there,” Kelly said. “But what’s most important, obviously, is that the arm feels good, back feels good, so moving in the right direction.”
Kelly also appreciated the moment when he took the mound at Chase Field again after he had been traded last summer and came back as a free agent.
Kelly will start the year on the 15-day injured list (back) as he builds up to a starter’s workload. He will start a backfield game at Salt River Fields on Saturday.
If all goes to plan, Kelly will pitch rehab outings for Triple-A Reno on April 3 and April 8 and prepare to rejoin the Diamondbacks for his next appearance.
“Body and back and arm feel good, so that’s what matters to me right now.”
Merrill Kelly said his next outing will be Saturday at Salt River Fields. pic.twitter.com/DLstI05ADG
— Alex Weiner (@alexjweiner) March 24, 2026
Tough final start for Michael Soroka
Starter Michael Soroka threw five shutout innings with eight strikeouts in his final Cactus League start last Thursday, but he was hit around on Tuesday. Soroka pushed the pitch count up to 80, but only recorded 3.1 innings-worth of outs and allowed six runs.
“Right from the get-go, it’s the last day of spring, you’re getting out of here, everybody’s excited to get going, you’ve still got a job to do. It just wasn’t all that sharp today,” Soroka said.
“I felt like I got what I needed to this spring training. I had a couple of good ones. Threw the ball fairly well for the most part, I thought. Just about being in the zone a little bit more. Kind of taking that approach going forward. Again, it starts fresh.”
Corbin Carroll returns to outfield
Corbin Carroll took his position in right field in big league games for the first time this spring after he had been starting as the designated hitter upon returning from hamate surgery.
He started both Monday and Tuesday in the outfield and said everything felt fine with the glove.
“I feel like I’m in a good spot,” Carroll said. “I think the work’s been good with (Dave) McKay, and we’ve got our routine where I feel like I can get close to game reps not in the game.”
First Chase Field outfield reps for Jordan Lawlar
Jordan Lawlar received the chance to start in left field on Monday and center field on Tuesday, which were the first two games he’s played in the outfield of his home ballpark.
He made all the plays hit toward him, including a slicing line drive in left field.
“It was cool to not only get (batting practice) to see the lights and backgrounds and how everything looked but also get the game reps,” Lawlar said.
Lawlar explained that he’s a bit more comfortable in center field, which is where he’s received most of his reps this spring.
He only started playing left field over the past few days, plus he noted that the angle from center is more similar to shortstop, his primary position up to this point of his career.
“I haven’t had much time in left, but as time keeps going on, I’ll do both,” Lawlar said.
Lovullo did not commit to who will play center or left field on Opening Day between Lawlar and Alek Thomas, but the plan to get Lawlar comfortable to take on an outfield role out of camp was successful.
Lourdes Gurriel Jr. update
Lovullo said Tuesday Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (ACL) and Adrian Del Castillo (calf) will play in minor league games as designated hitters.
Gurriel is close to getting a chance to play defense. The outfielder has participated in defensive drills and shagging, but he has yet to play the position in a game.
“Defensively is the next piece of the puzzle because you’re gonna be chasing a baseball and you can’t predict what your body’s gonna need to do, what start-stop action you’re gonna have with your lower half,” Lovullo said. “So we’re getting very close to that.”
Del Castillo will continue with his rehab, as he has started running at this point.
As far as injured pitchers, A.J. Puk has started throwing shortbox bullpens, which means the catcher sets up a bit closer. Justin Martinez is still throwing on flat ground up to 120 feet.
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