Diamondbacks’ Paul Goldschmidt understands reason for day off

The Diamondbacks open a four-game series with the Padres Monday.

Keep checking back for the latest on the game.

Goldschmidt understands reason for day off

First baseman Paul Goldschmidt was in an unfamiliar spot Monday when the Diamondbacks opened a four-game set with the Padres at Chase Field.

Out of the lineup.

After starting all 20 games to date, Goldschmidt finally took a seat to snag some rest.

“Goldy needs a day off, as every player does, and he’s been playing well,” manager Torey Lovullo said. “He’s been swinging the bat very well, but I know a day off will do him some good because we need to play all the way through the end of the season at full strength.”

Lovullo picked this game five days ago, figuring it would give Goldschmidt the most amount of downtime possible during the homestand with Sunday’s finale against the Dodgers a day game.

“There’s a strategy to what we do here and I believe that once it’s written down and they know, it’s not going to change the script,” Lovullo said.

RELATED: Shelby Miller headed to DL

Not even a home run tweaked Lovullo’s plan as Goldschmidt belted a two-run homer Sunday to continue his prowess at the plate of late. Against the Dodgers, he went 4-for-11 with six RBIs after a quiet road trip earlier this month in which he hit .152.

“He found out (Sunday) before the game,” Lovullo said. “We all know Goldy; he wasn’t very happy. But I said, ‘You can throw me up against the wall, punch me in the face, and I’m still not going to change my mind,’ and he said, ‘OK, I understand where you’re coming from.’ And he understands the reasons why.

“I try to be as transparent as I can with these players, and I think they respect that and he knows the reason why he needs a day off. He doesn’t necessarily agree with it, but he understands in the long term that it’s going to help him out.”

Herrmann at first

With Goldschmidt out, Chris Herrmann took over the duties at first base – his first major-league start there, he said.

“I got a little bit of butterflies, but I’ve been prepared for this,” he said. “In spring training, I had a lot of starts at first base so it’s not like it’s a foreign position for me. So I’m looking forward to it.”

Herrmann said he made about six or seven starts at first during spring training and also played the position in high school and a little bit in college. Although catching is his preference, Herrmann is happy to help out in Goldschmidt’s absence.

“These guys have trust in me to go out and perform at first base,” he said. “So I’m just excited for the opportunity.”

Bracho added

The Diamondbacks recalled right-hander Silvino Bracho from Triple-A Reno Monday after shifting starter Shelby Miller to the 10-day disabled list with right elbow inflammation.

Bracho was optioned to Reno March 31 after losing his bid for the final spot in the bullpen to lefty Andrew Chafin, and he continued to impress after a solid audition in spring training. In six appearances amid 6 2/3 innings with Reno, Bracho was 0-1 with two saves while posting a 0.00 ERA. He struck out 12 and walked just one.

“I just take the opportunity, get my chance and get out to the mound and prove to the manager and help the team,” Bracho said.

Injury update

Outfielder Gregor Blanco (strained oblique) played seven innings in extended spring training Monday, taking five at-bats, and “felt very good,” Lovullo said.

Right-hander Rubby De La Rosa (elbow) threw one inning, 17 pitches, in extended spring training action Monday.

“Rubby threw the ball very, very well today,” Lovullo said. “Velocity was well above average.”

Right-hander Jake Barrett (right shoulder inflammation) and lefty Steve Hathaway (left shoulder inflammation) are scheduled to throw Tuesday in extended spring training.

“Ramping all guys up to try to get out of extended as quickly as possible,” Lovullo said.

Monday’s game

Padres at Diamondbacks

When: 6:40 p.m.

Where: Chase Field.

Pitchers: Diamondbacks RHP Zack Greinke (1-2, 3.28) vs. Padres RHP Jhoulys Chacin (2-2, 4.70).

TV/Radio: FSAZ, MLB Network/KMVP-FM (98.7), KHOV-FM (105.1).

Goldschmidt out of lineup

It wasn’t an easy decision, but Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo finally pulled first baseman Paul Goldschmidt out of the lineup Monday after Goldschmidt had started all 20 games to date.

Lovullo picked this game five days ago, figuring it would give Goldschmidt the most amount of downtime possible during the homestand with Sunday’s finale against the Dodgers a day game. 

“There’s a strategy to what we do here and I believe that once it’s written down and they know it, it’s not going to change the script,” Lovullo said. “Goldy needs a day off, as every player does.”

Shortstop Chris Owings took Goldschmidt’s usual spot in the batting order, hitting third, while Chris Herrmann replaced Goldschmidt at first. 

Here’s the entire lineup:

1. A.J. Pollock CF

2. David Peralta RF

3. Chris Owings SS

4. Jake Lamb 3B

5. Yasmany Tomas LF

6. Brandon Drury 2B

7. Chris Herrmann 1B

8. Jeff Mathis C

9. Zack Greinke P

RELATED: Diamondbacks’ play encouraging even if it is still April

The Diamondbacks placed starting pitcher Shelby Miller on the 10-day disabled list (right elbow inflammation) and recalled right-hander Silvino Bracho from Triple-A Reno.

Miller was scheduled to talk to the local media by 5 p.m. MST.

Miller, 26, suffered the injury in Sunday’s start vs. the Dodgers. The right-hander has gone 2-2 with a 4.09 ERA (10 ER in 22.0 IP) in four starts this season.

Bracho, 24, was 0-1 with 2 saves, a 0.00 ERA (1 R-0 ER/6.2 IP), a walk, 12 strikeouts, .167 opponent average and a 0.750 WHIP in 6 appearances with the Aces this season. He was optioned to Reno on March 31.

In parts of 2 seasons with the Diamondbacks (2015-16), Bracho is 0-2 with a save and a 5.35 ERA (22 ER in 37.0 IP) in 39 appearances. He was signed as a non-drafted free agent on Aug. 9, 2011.

MORE: D-Backs place Shelby Miller on 10-day disabled list

Game notes

One mistake, a breaking ball down the middle that the Padres’ Erick Aybar crushed for a home run, cost Greinke his last time out; he gave up that lone run in an eight-inning complete-game effort, but the Diamondbacks fell 1-0. … Overall, Greinke has given up two runs or less in three of his four starts. … Despite his past start, Greinke has fared well over his career against San Diego with an 8-2 record and 1.96 ERA in 17 starts. … Chacin has cruised at home but struggled on the road; in two starts away from Petco Park, he’s allowed 12 earned runs and 16 hits. … One of his home wins came against the Diamondbacks last Wednesday as he kept them scoreless through eight innings. … He has a 2.83 ERA at Chase Field in his career.

Coming up

Tuesday: At Chase Field, 6:40 p.m., Diamondbacks LHP Patrick Corbin (1-3, 3.27) vs. Padres LHP Clayton Richard (2-2, 3.04).

Wednesday: At Chase Field, 6:40 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Taijuan Walker (2-1, 4.57) vs. Padres RHP Trevor Cahill (1-2, 3.44).

Thursday: At Chase Field, 6:40 p.m., Diamondbacks LHP Robbie Ray (2-0, 3.42) vs. Padres RHP Jered Weaver (0-1, 3.91).

Up next

San Diego Padres

After hosting the Diamondbacks last week, the Padres welcomed the Marlins to Petco Park and dropped two out of three. The Padres were outscored 13-6 in the two losses. A retooled rotation has been key so far with three of the four new faces posting wins on the team’s recent homestand. The other newbie, right-hander Jered Weaver, earned a quality start in Saturday’s loss to the Marlins. Overall, San Diego pitchers have a 3.80 ERA at home but translating that success to the road has been a challenge. The Padres are 3-8 as the visitor and have given up the second-most runs in the National League at 56. Their offense has also had a tough time with a league-worst .207 average. First baseman Wil Myers is off to a strong start, leading the team with a .354 average. Third baseman Yangervis Solarte has also been key. He has a team-high 12 RBIs.