Cecconi did not factor into the decision Thursday against the Reds, allowing one run on three hits and three walks over 5.1 innings. He struck out two.
Cecconi was sharp Thursday, blanking the Reds until Jeimer Candelario's solo home run in the fifth inning. It was a nice bounce-back outing from the 24-year-old right-hander after he gave up six runs in 4.1 innings in a loss to San Diego in his previous outing. Overall, Cecconi is 1-2 with a 4.15 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 17:6 K:BB through his first four starts (21.2 innings). He figures to remain in the rotation while Merrill Kelly (shoulder) and Eduardo Rodriguez (shoulder) are sidelined. Cecconi's currently in line for a home rematch with the Reds in his next outing.
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Diamondbacks' Joc Pederson: Homer, stolen base in win
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Pederson went 3-for-5 with a solo home run, a stolen base and an additional run scored in Thursday's 5-4 win over Cincinnati.
Pederson opened the scoring with a solo shot off Hunter Greene in the first inning, his fourth long ball of the year. Pederson had gone just 2-for-15 in four games coming into Thursday's contest. He's still slashing a solid .302/.415/.535 with 15 runs scored and eight RBI through 33 games this season as Arizona's primary DH against right-handed pitching.
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Diamondbacks' Paul Sewald: Nails down first save
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Sewald earned the save in Thursday's 5-4 win over the Reds, striking out two in a perfect ninth inning.
After allowing a home run to Tyler Stephenson in his season debut, Sewald looked much better in his first save chance Thursday, striking out Will Benson and Stephenson to close out the one-run victory. The 33-year-old Sewald is expected to step back in as Arizona's primary closer after missing the first month of the season with an oblique injury. He recorded 34 saves last year while pitching to a 3.12 ERA in 60.2 innings between Arizona and Seattle.
Rodriguez is close to being able to begin a throwing program after an MRI on Wednesday showed healing in his left shoulder, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.
Rodriguez has been sidelined all season and had to be shut down from throwing in mid-April after he felt renewed tightness in his shoulder. However, it appears the recent period of rest did him some good, and he's almost ready to ramp things back up again. The left-hander is still likely at least a month or so away from being able to join the Diamondbacks' rotation.
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Diamondbacks' Joe Mantiply: Nabs first save of 2024
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Mantiply struck out one in a scoreless two-thirds of an inning to record his first save of the season in Wednesday's 4-3 win over the Reds.
With Paul Sewald unavailable after making his season debut Tuesday and Kevin Ginkel struggling to shut the door in the ninth inning, Mantiply got the call and fanned Will Benson before getting Jonathan India to fly out with the winning run on second base for Cincy. Sewald will be the top option for saves in the Arizona bullpen, but as the team's top lefty reliever, Mantiply could see further situational chances. He's been reasonably effective this season, posting a 3.52 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 13:6 K:BB through 15.1 innings.
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Diamondbacks' Jordan Montgomery: Solid in second win
Rotowire
Montgomery (2-2) picked up the win Wednesday, allowing two runs on seven hits and two walks over seven innings in a 4-3 victory over the Reds. He struck out two.
While he again wasn't dominant, Montgomery worked seven frames for the second time in four starts since joining the Arizona rotation and delivered his third quality start. The veteran southpaw will take a 4.70 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 10:6 K:BB through 23 innings into his next outing, which lines up for a home rematch with Cincinnati early next week.
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Diamondbacks' Kevin Newman: Heading to bench Thursday
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Newman is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Reds.
Newman will retreat to the bench after he started each of the past three games at shortstop while going 3-for-12 with a run scored. Blaze Alexander will spell Newman at shortstop in the series finale.
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Diamondbacks' Gabriel Moreno: Taking seat Thursday
Rotowire
Moreno is absent from the lineup for Thursday's game in Cincinnati.
Moreno returned to action Wednesday after missing one game due to illness, but he'll begin Thursday's afternoon tilt on the bench. Tucker Barnhart will pick up the start at catcher.
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Diamondbacks' Paul Sewald: Not available Wednesday
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Sewald wasn't available to pitch Wednesday, when Joe Mantiply picked up the save in a 4-3 win over the Reds, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.
Fresh off a six-week stay on the injured list due to an oblique injury, Sewald returned Tuesday and threw 15 pitches in his season debut in a non-save situation. He was then bypassed for a save opportunity Wednesday, as manager Torey Lovullo stuck with Kevin Ginkel, then Mantiply after Ginkel allowed a walk and two singles. Lovullo is bringing Sewald back at a measured pace.
Suarez went 2-for-3 with a solo home run and a steal in Wednesday's 4-3 win over Cincinnati.
Suarez's eighth-inning home run gave the Diamondbacks a 4-2 cushion, which the team needed as the Reds plated a run in the bottom of the ninth. It was the third home run of the season for Suarez, who earlier in the game snapped an 0-for-14 stretch, while the stolen base was his first of 2024.
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Diamondbacks' Paul Sewald: Not used in save opportunity
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Sewald did not enter Wednesday's 4-3 win over the Reds.
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo used Kevin Ginkel to close out what was a 4-2 lead to begin the bottom of the ninth inning, but he ran into trouble, allowing a walk and two singles. Lovullo turned to Joe Mantiply to close out the game. Presumably, the manager didn't want to push Sewald so soon after missing a month-and-a-half with an oblique injury; he threw 15 pitches Tuesday in his first game off the injured list.
McCarthy is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Reds.
McCarthy maintains a .369 on-base percentage over 86 plate appearances this season and has seemingly moved into an everyday role in the outfield while Alek Thomas (hamstring) is on the shelf, but the 26-year-old McCarthy will hit the bench Wednesday. The Diamondbacks haven't indicated that the lefty-hitting McCarthy is dealing with an injury, but he was lifted for a pinch hitter in Tuesday's 6-2 win and is now on the bench Wednesday while the Reds bring a right-hander (Graham Ashcraft) to the hill. Pavin Smith will replace McCarthy in the Arizona outfield.
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Diamondbacks' Kevin Newman: Moving into regular role
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Newman will start at shortstop and bat ninth in Wednesday's game against the Reds.
Newman will make his third straight start at shortstop -- all against right-handed pitching -- and looks to have supplanted Blaze Alexander as the Diamondbacks' preferred option at the position while the team waits for Geraldo Perdomo (knee) to return from the injured list. Though he's turned in a poor .559 OPS through 62 plate appearances with Arizona this season, Newman has been a much more polished defender at shortstop than Alexander.
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Diamondbacks' Blaze Alexander: Fading into reserve role
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Alexander is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Reds.
Alexander is on the bench for a third straight game, with all three absences coming against right-handed pitching. The rookie has a lowly .544 OPS over his past nine games and has gotten poor reviews for his work in the field, so he looks like he'll remain in a backup role at shortstop behind Kevin Newman until Geraldo Perdomo (knee) is back from the injured list.
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Diamondbacks' Gabriel Moreno: Back in action Wednesday
Rotowire
Moreno (illness) will start at catcher and bat seventh in Wednesday's game in Cincinnati.
Moreno missed Tuesday's 6-2 win because he was under the weather, but he's evidently feeling better and ready to give it a go Wednesday. The young catcher is still searching to find his offensive rhythm this season, as he's yet to slug a home run and will carry a .662 OPS into play Wednesday.
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Diamondbacks' Pedro Catuy: May miss complex league season
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Catuy (lower body) is on the Diamondbacks' Arizona Complex League roster's 60-day injured list.
Photographer Jerry Espinoza witnessed Catuy suffer an injury at home plate during a scrimmage against the Dodgers' complex-league prospects, and it seems like a lower-body injury. It's possible this will cost Catuy the 2024 season, but if he were to miss the minimum 60 days, he could return for the final few weeks of the ACL season. A Panamanian center fielder with plus speed and excellent athleticism, Catuy slashed .288/.361/.441 with four home runs, 18 steals and a 17.2 percent strikeout rate in 48 games in the Dominican Summer League as a 17-year-old.
