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    Zack Greinke comments on his throwing session

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    Diamondbacks’ Patrick Corbin after spring outing vs. White Sox

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    Zack Greinke on his diminished velocity in start vs. Mexico

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    Shelby Miller discusses latest start

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    D-Backs’ Taijuan Walker on his latest strong outing

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    D-Backs lefty Patrick Corbin after spring outing vs. Padres

  • Shelby Miller on his outing vs. Cubs

    Shelby Miller on his outing vs. Cubs

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    Archie Bradley on strong outing vs. Padres

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    Robbie Ray on his spring training debut

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    Spring training story lines to watch

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    Taijuan Walker throws two innings in spring debut

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    Some things about Spring Training season just haven’t changed…

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    MLB changing intentional walks for 2017

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    Just the FAQs: Brewers at bullpen

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    Projecting the 2017 MLB season

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    MLB’s 100 Names to Know for 2017

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    MLB commissioner Rob Manfred on rule changes, MLBPA cooperation

  • Diamondbacks' Ken Kendrick discusses team's lawsuit

    Diamondbacks’ Ken Kendrick discusses team’s lawsuit

  • D-Backs manager Torey Lovullo on Goldschmidt, team's core

    D-Backs manager Torey Lovullo on Goldschmidt, team’s core

  • Behind the scenes at Diamondbacks Photo Day

    Behind the scenes at Diamondbacks Photo Day

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    Cubs’ Joe Maddon on why it’s difficult to repeat

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    Cubs’ Joe Maddon on this season’s preparation

  • A look at Diamondbacks Fan Fest 2017

    A look at Diamondbacks Fan Fest 2017

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    Closer Fernando Rodney throws bullpen session

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    Baseball stadiums on the way out or in danger of extinction

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    Taijuan Walker throws bullpen session at Salt River Fields

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    Shelby Miller throws bullpen session at Salt River Fields

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    D-Backs bench coach Ron Gardenhire diagnosed with prostate cancer

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    D-Backs manager Lovullo on getting started, Shelby Miller

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    D-Backs pitcher Archie Bradley talks about his beard

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    D-Backs skipper Torey Lovullo press conference

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    D-Backs pitcher Patrick Corbin reports to spring training camp in Scottsdale

  • Diamondbacks' pitcher Archie Bradley: "New year. New team. New everything. We're excited."

    Diamondbacks’ pitcher Archie Bradley: “New year. New team. New everything. We’re excited.”

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    D-Backs near crossroads with Goldschmidt

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    The best MLB lineup realistic money can buy

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    Cubs, coffee and cars: How things have changed since the North Siders last won the World Series

Wearing a white polo shirt and a Diamondbacks cap pulled low, Tony La Russa stood between two practice fields, where a pair of minor-league games were unfolding simultaneously. Glancing in front of him, La Russa talked about a catcher he likes with a nice-looking swing. He then motioned to the other field, where there was a third baseman he said might have a chance.

To many, La Russa’s presence at Diamondbacks camp this year is unexpected. Stripped of his powers atop baseball operations at the end of last year’s disappointing season, La Russa did what, it seems, few would have: He stuck around.

He says that, by and large, his spring has been like any other he spent with the organization. He watches players and teams and he evaluates them. He spends time with coaches and the front office. The difference is he no longer has the same responsibility.

And, on the surface, he seems no different as a result. He arrives at Salt River Fields early. He sits in on meetings. He watches batting practice, chatting with front office executives and coaches. And he watches the games, either on the back fields or in the main stadium, sometimes from the scouts’ section.

CACTUS LEAGUE: Coverage from azcentral sports and ASU’s Cronkite School

When he was removed as chief baseball officer, the Diamondbacks told him he was welcome back in another role. Many believe the club didn’t expect him to accept.

“I don’t know,” La Russa said when asked if he thinks he surprised people with his return. “I know I had made it clear to everybody, clear to the guys who were on our team that left and everybody that I talked to, that if the last year I was ever involved with the team we had the kind of results we got, I would have a tough time. It would haunt me. The easiest way not to be here was if somebody said they didn’t want me here. I was very sincere about that. I took the year personally and I wasn’t very good.”

La Russa had suggested during a radio interview late last season that it would be hard for him to return if Dave Stewart was fired as general manager. It was widely assumed the two were a package deal.

“He wasn’t the only one that left,” La Russa said of Stewart. “I think there were some good accomplishments. But the record last year – that’s what happens in this game. It could have been very easy for them to say, ‘Hey, we don’t want you back either.’ … The only way I wasn’t going to be a part of trying to get better this year was if somebody said we don’t want you.”

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La Russa, whose title is now chief baseball analyst, seems to be blending well with the new regime. Manager Torey Lovullo said he’s enjoyed having La Russa around in spring – and that he’s looking forward to seeking his thoughts on his in-game decision-making once the season begins.

GM Mike Hazen speaks highly of La Russa’s presence, saying he is both a good listener and a valuable and forceful voice in the room. Hazen said La Russa offers a unique perspective, one the front office values, and he’s managed to do it despite his previous role. That is to say, based on the way La Russa has interacted this spring, there would be no telling that just six months ago he was the one in charge.

“I think anytime there is change there’s the potential for awkwardness,” Hazen said. “He’s handled it 100 percent professionally and there’s been none of that.”

La Russa said one of the benefits of his new role has been the time he’s spent on the back fields. He has grown more familiar with the player development staff and learned more about the club’s prospects. He expects to spend more time with the team’s minor-league affiliates during the season.

“You see young guys who have their dreams, you see them working,” he said. “For a guy who loves the game and gets excited about their dream coming true, I love it. I’m enjoying it.”

La Russa is regarded as one of the best and winningest managers of all time, a Hall of Famer known for his innovations. But if his time as a front office executive has at all harmed his legacy, he said he’s not concerned.

“I didn’t manage for that,” he said. “I managed to do the best that I could. And I’ve done the best I can here. So I don’t think about it. I just answer to myself that I’m doing the best I can and whatever happens, happens. Whoever evaluates, evaluates.”

Short hops

  • Center fielder A.J. Pollock had three at-bats as the designated hitter in a camp game Monday, his first action since tweaking his groin on March 12. He was hitting but not running the bases. “So that felt a little awkward,” he said. “I would swing and take it back to the dugout.” But Pollock said he felt good, and Lovullo said Pollock will play again Tuesday, take Wednesday off and possibly return to Cactus League action on Thursday. Pollock expects to be ready for Opening Day.
  • The Diamondbacks optioned right-handers Braden Shipley and Matt Koch to Triple-A Reno and reassigned right-hander Keyvius Sampson and outfielder/first baseman Jason Pridie to minor-league camp.

Reach Piecoro at (602) 444-8680 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @nickpiecoro.

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