• Robbie Ray on D-Backs' win over Brewers

    Robbie Ray on D-Backs’ win over Brewers

  • Paul Goldschmidt on grand slam, offensive outburst

    Paul Goldschmidt on grand slam, offensive outburst

  • Godley on taking advantage of opportunity after D-Backs win

    Godley on taking advantage of opportunity after D-Backs win

  • Torey Lovullo after D-Backs' win over Brewers

    Torey Lovullo after D-Backs’ win over Brewers

  • Randall Delgado on his rough outing against Brewers

    Randall Delgado on his rough outing against Brewers

  • Lovullo on Diamondbacks' loss to Brewers

    Lovullo on Diamondbacks’ loss to Brewers

  • Chris Iannetta on his career-high 7 RBIs vs. Padres

    Chris Iannetta on his career-high 7 RBIs vs. Padres

  • Patrick Corbin on his effectiveness vs. Padres

    Patrick Corbin on his effectiveness vs. Padres

  • Chris Owings on Diamondbacks' offensive production with two outs

    Chris Owings on Diamondbacks’ offensive production with two outs

  • Arizona Diamondbacks vs. San Diego Padres -- June 8, 2017

    Arizona Diamondbacks vs. San Diego Padres — June 8, 2017

  • Greinke on his 'all right' outing in D-Backs' win

    Greinke on his ‘all right’ outing in D-Backs’ win

  • Lamb on big performance in D-Backs' win

    Lamb on big performance in D-Backs’ win

  • D-Backs beat Padres for another home win

    D-Backs beat Padres for another home win

  • Shot Clock: D-Backs train rolling; Durant new No. 1?

    Shot Clock: D-Backs train rolling; Durant new No. 1?

  • MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred on rift between D-Backs, Maricopa County

    MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred on rift between D-Backs, Maricopa County

  • D-Backs manager Torey Lovullo on no-hitter, road struggles

    D-Backs manager Torey Lovullo on no-hitter, road struggles

  • Chris Herrmann on Edinson Volquez's performance in no-hitter

    Chris Herrmann on Edinson Volquez’s performance in no-hitter

  • D-Backs' Rey Fuentes on Edinson Volquez's pitch mix in no-hitter

    D-Backs’ Rey Fuentes on Edinson Volquez’s pitch mix in no-hitter

  • Patrick Corbin after loss to Marlins

    Patrick Corbin after loss to Marlins

  • Torey Lovullo on Patrick Corbin's outing vs. Marlins

    Torey Lovullo on Patrick Corbin’s outing vs. Marlins

  • Torey Lovullo on Nick Ahmed, comeback win over Marlins

    Torey Lovullo on Nick Ahmed, comeback win over Marlins

  • David Peralta talks about Chris Owings' 'clutch' hit vs. Pirates

    David Peralta talks about Chris Owings’ ‘clutch’ hit vs. Pirates

  • Chris Owings on D-Backs' extra-inning win in Pittsburgh

    Chris Owings on D-Backs’ extra-inning win in Pittsburgh

  • Torey Lovullo on 'character win' in Pittsburgh

    Torey Lovullo on ‘character win’ in Pittsburgh

  • Robbie Ray on postgame celebration after shutout vs. Pirates

    Robbie Ray on postgame celebration after shutout vs. Pirates

  • Torey Lovullo on Robbie Ray's shutout of Pirates

    Torey Lovullo on Robbie Ray’s shutout of Pirates

  • Chris Herrmann on Robbie Ray's 'outstanding' outing vs. Pirates

    Chris Herrmann on Robbie Ray’s ‘outstanding’ outing vs. Pirates

  • Shot Clock: Winless weekend with D-Backs

    Shot Clock: Winless weekend with D-Backs

  • Diamondbacks' Chris Iannetta on his latest clutch homer

    Diamondbacks’ Chris Iannetta on his latest clutch homer

  • Torey Lovullo on Diamondbacks' loss to the Pirates

    Torey Lovullo on Diamondbacks’ loss to the Pirates

  • Archie Bradley after walkoff loss to Pirates

    Archie Bradley after walkoff loss to Pirates

  • Torey Lovullo on Patrick Corbin's outing, loss to Brewers

    Torey Lovullo on Patrick Corbin’s outing, loss to Brewers

  • Patrick Corbin on his outing vs. Brewers

    Patrick Corbin on his outing vs. Brewers

  • Zack Greinke on his outing in loss to Brewers

    Zack Greinke on his outing in loss to Brewers

  • Torey Lovullo on loss to Brewers, Chase Anderson

    Torey Lovullo on loss to Brewers, Chase Anderson

  • Paul Goldschmidt talks about Chase Anderson's outing

    Paul Goldschmidt talks about Chase Anderson’s outing

  • Torey Lovullo on D-Backs' comeback win in MIlwaukee

    Torey Lovullo on D-Backs’ comeback win in MIlwaukee

  • Chris Iannetta on his game-tying homer vs. Brewers

    Chris Iannetta on his game-tying homer vs. Brewers

  • Can D-Backs keep this up? Why, why not

    Can D-Backs keep this up? Why, why not

  • Robbie Ray after dominant outing in Milwaukee

    Robbie Ray after dominant outing in Milwaukee

  • D-Backs' Torey Lovullo on impressive win over Brewers

    D-Backs’ Torey Lovullo on impressive win over Brewers

  • Torey Lovullo on 'nice team win' for D-Backs

    Torey Lovullo on ‘nice team win’ for D-Backs

  • Jake Lamb on strong game against lefty Jose Quintana

    Jake Lamb on strong game against lefty Jose Quintana

  • Chris Herrmann on hitting surge, HR in win

    Chris Herrmann on hitting surge, HR in win

  • Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Archie Bradley competes in cow milking competition

    Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Archie Bradley competes in cow milking competition

  • Shelby Miller: Tommy John surgery 'was a pretty smooth process'

    Shelby Miller: Tommy John surgery ‘was a pretty smooth process’

  • Shot Clock: Time to take D-Backs seriously

    Shot Clock: Time to take D-Backs seriously

  • Zack Greinke on near-complete game, Eephus pitch

    Zack Greinke on near-complete game, Eephus pitch

  • Torey Lovullo on Zack Greinke's 'great night'

    Torey Lovullo on Zack Greinke’s ‘great night’

  • Montini volunteers free tickets - with Bickley's help

    Montini volunteers free tickets – with Bickley’s help

  • D-Backs manager Torey Lovullo on loss vs. Padres

    D-Backs manager Torey Lovullo on loss vs. Padres

  • Chris Iannetta on homering in first game off DL

    Chris Iannetta on homering in first game off DL

  • Zack Godley on his outing vs. Padres

    Zack Godley on his outing vs. Padres

  • Torey Lovullo after D-Backs pound Padres 9-1

    Torey Lovullo after D-Backs pound Padres 9-1

  • Torey Lovullo on D-Backs' blowout win vs. Padres

    Torey Lovullo on D-Backs’ blowout win vs. Padres

  • Taijuan Walker tosses six scoreless vs. Padres

    Taijuan Walker tosses six scoreless vs. Padres

  • Brandon Drury homers in win vs. Padres

    Brandon Drury homers in win vs. Padres

  • Watch out for Dodgers; Cards CBs apply for job

    Watch out for Dodgers; Cards CBs apply for job

  • Diamondbacks outlast Mets in extra innings

    Diamondbacks outlast Mets in extra innings

  • Diamondbacks discuss close win over Mets

    Diamondbacks discuss close win over Mets

  • Diamondbacks' Zack Godley talks after win over Mets

    Diamondbacks’ Zack Godley talks after win over Mets

  • Diamondbacks' Torey Lovullo talks upbeat pace in win over Mets

    Diamondbacks’ Torey Lovullo talks upbeat pace in win over Mets

  • A.J. Pollock discusses his injury after loss to Pirates

    A.J. Pollock discusses his injury after loss to Pirates

  • David Peralta downplays his injury vs. Pirates

    David Peralta downplays his injury vs. Pirates

  • Torey Lovullo on injuries, loss vs. Pirates

    Torey Lovullo on injuries, loss vs. Pirates

  • Chris Iannetta talks about scary HBP vs. Pirates

    Chris Iannetta talks about scary HBP vs. Pirates

  • Diamondbacks rally falls short against Pirates

    Diamondbacks rally falls short against Pirates

  • Lovullo: Iannetta "said he could play tonight if he had to" after HBP

    Lovullo: Iannetta “said he could play tonight if he had to” after HBP

  • Diamondbacks overwhelm Pirates 11-4

    Diamondbacks overwhelm Pirates 11-4

  • Kaepernick blackballed? Greinke now trade bait?

    Kaepernick blackballed? Greinke now trade bait?

  • Zack Greinke on his near no-hitter against Pirates

    Zack Greinke on his near no-hitter against Pirates

  • Lovullo reacts to Greinke's near no-hitter in win

    Lovullo reacts to Greinke’s near no-hitter in win

  • Diamondbacks snap losing streak with win over Tigers

    Diamondbacks snap losing streak with win over Tigers

  • Diamondbacks drop third straight with loss to Tigers

    Diamondbacks drop third straight with loss to Tigers

  • Shot Clock: D-Backs face pivotal homestand

    Shot Clock: D-Backs face pivotal homestand

  • Torey Lovullo after D-Backs' latest loss to Rockies

    Torey Lovullo after D-Backs’ latest loss to Rockies

  • Taijuan Walker after loss to Rockies

    Taijuan Walker after loss to Rockies

  • Patrick Corbin after being roughed up by Rockies

    Patrick Corbin after being roughed up by Rockies

  • D-Backs' Torey Lovullo on 'tough night' at Coors Field

    D-Backs’ Torey Lovullo on ‘tough night’ at Coors Field

  • Zack Greinke on impressive outing vs. Rockies

    Zack Greinke on impressive outing vs. Rockies

  • Manager Torey Lovullo after win over Rockies

    Manager Torey Lovullo after win over Rockies

This is your home for the latest Arizona Diamondbacks game day news. Come back for more updates.

Taijuan Walker set for long-awaited DL return

Right-hander Taijuan Walker held up his right index finger for inspection, and unlike a few weeks ago, when it was cracked and mangled, there is only a trace of the blister that forced him onto the disabled list last month.

“Brand new,” Walker said.

Walker will rejoin the Diamondbacks rotation on Wednesday at Comerica Park, where he’ll make his first start since May 19. He’s twice appeared to be lined up for a return only to have his delay pushed back to give the blister more time to heal.

“It’s 100 percent,” Walker said. “That’s what we wanted before I was back, to make sure it’s 100 percent. I played catch today (Tuesday) without it wrapped and everything felt really good.”

Walker said he didn’t ask what his pitch count might be, saying he’d rather not know so he isn’t thinking about it during the game. Manager Torey Lovullo said the club was still talking about an appropriate target pitch count.

That said, he doesn’t think the club needs to be as conservative as, say, the Dodgers were a year ago when lefty Rich Hill was removed after throwing seven perfect innings shortly after battling prolonged blister issues.

“I don’t think it was a Rich Hill-type of blister,” Lovullo said. “I remember seeing nasty pictures of that. Taijuan’s is just about healed and feeling 100 percent. I don’t know exactly if we can predict what going to happen beyond tomorrow. I just want to see how it works tomorrow, see how the finger looks after the start and piece it together from there.”

Controlling the zone an early focus in D-Backs’ draft

The theme for the Diamondbacks’ three picks on Day 1 of baseball’s amateur draft was not hard to spot, starting with Virginia’s Pavin Smith at No. 7 overall and continuing with Louisville’s Drew Ellis and Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s Daulton Varsho.

All three were not just accomplished college position players who showed the ability to hit and hit for power. They also showed a propensity to control the strike zone, a skill that Diamondbacks scouting director Deric Ladnier said has become a focus with the club’s new front office.

“We have a new group of people in here that brought in some fresh and new ideas that I think are very applicable to the game these days,” Ladnier said. “And to be able to blend that with the pure scouting and analytics, the transition of that is very evident in our first three selections.”

Smith, a first baseman who is regarded as one of the best pure hitters in the country, drew 38 walks and struck out just 12 times. Ellis, a third baseman, had 38 walks and 38 strikeouts, while Varsho drew 46 walks compared to 39 strikeouts.

Ladnier said controlling the zone was a focus for the new regime “from Day 1.”

“Being able to control the zone and give professional at-bats,” Ladnier said. “That is certainly something that was a key indicator in selecting these guys.”

Ladnier spent eight years as the scouting director in Kansas City, helping assemble the core group of players who won the World Series in 2015, and is in his third season as the Diamondbacks’ scouting director. He said this is his first year working with a group that has blended analytics as heavily as the Diamondbacks do.

“It was refreshing,” he said. “It gives you a greater perspective and it creates kind of a funnel for who you really want.”

The Diamondbacks shifted direction on the second day of the draft, selecting high school players with each of their next three picks.

They took right-handers Matt Tabor (Milton Academy in Massachusetts) and Harrison Francis (Chiles High in Florida) in the third and fourth rounds, respectively, then in the fifth round selected third baseman Buddy Kennedy out of Milville High in New Jersey, the same school that produced Angels star Mike Trout, with whom Kennedy works out in the offseason.

Lineup

Tuesday’s game

When: 4:10 p.m.

Where: Comerica Park

Pitchers: Diamondbacks RHP Zack Greinke (8-3, 3.20) vs. Tigers RHP Buck Farmer (2-0, 0.00).

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

Greinke is coming off an outing in which he gave up three earned runs in five innings against San Diego. It tied for his shortest outing of the season. He has won seven of his last eight starts and historically has had success against Detroit, with a 13-7 record and a 2.79 ERA. Farmer is making his third start of the season and has a 13-inning scoreless streak, tied for the longest in the American League. He’s struck out 16 batters in his two previous starts.

Coming up

Wednesday: At Detroit, 4:10 p.m., Diamondbacks TBD vs. Tigers TBD

Thursday: Off

Friday: At Philadelphia, 4:05 p.m., Diamondbacks TBD vs. Phillies RHP Aaron Nola (3-4, 4.40)

Up next

The Tigers are 30-32 and 3 ½ games behind the Minnesota Twins in the American League Central. Detroit’s pitching has been a disaster; its team ERA of 4.74 ranks 14th in the AL and its opponents’ batting average is .271. The bullpen has been a real sticking point with an ERA of 5.14. Detroit still has a capable offense with Miguel Cabrera, J.D. Martinez and Justin Upton but the team is getting told and there’s a lot of talk that the Tigers might be big sellers before the July 31 trading deadline.

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