Diamondbacks outfielder Jake McCarthy was not in the lineup to start the game against the Marlins on Thursday, April 17, the third straight day McCarthy hasn’t played.
McCarthy is dealing with a sore hand after being hit by a Freddy Peralta pitch against Milwaukee at Chase Field on April 13. He was available to pinch hit on April 17, but manager Torey Lovullo said one of his top priorities was to get McCarthy back into the lineup when the team plays in Chicago against the Cubs Friday through Sunday, April 18-20.
“A couple of days ago it was most likely emergency only,” Lovullo said of McCarthy’s playing status. He said McCarthy felt better on April 16, and was available to pinch hit or pinch run, and the same for April 17 after another day of rest.
Alek Thomas got all of the starts in center field against the Marlins and made his 12th start of the season on April 17. McCarthy has made seven starts in center and two in left.
The Diamondbacks took a 2-0 lead in the first inning when Corbin Carroll reached base on a dropped third strike, stole two bases and scored on Geraldo Perdomo’s sacrifice fly. Then Pavin Smith hit his second home run in as many days.
Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
The Marlins got a run after Diamondbacks second baseman Tim Tawa missed a catch at second base, and Eric Wagaman hit a run-scoring double to make it 2-1. Starting pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez was able to get out of a jam with runners at second and third bases and one out.
Diamondbacks at Marlins, 9:10 a.m., Cox, Ch. 34
Diamondbacks LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (0-2, 4.86) vs. Marlins RHP Edward Cabrera (0-0, 3.18).
At loanDepot Park: Rodriguez looks for his first win of the season in his fourth start. He’s pitched at least five innings in each of his first three and has at times looked sharp, but hasn’t gotten the run support. The Diamondbacks have scored 0, 3 and 10 runs in his starts, but all 10 of the runs on March 30 against the Cubs came after Rodriguez left the game. Still, Rodriguez has pitched effectively enough to keep his team close in games. He has 20 strikeouts and six walks on the season, and is 1-1 with a 7.84 earned run average against the Marlins in his career. … Cabrera, who turned 27 on April 13, is in his fourth full season with the Marlins. He was reinstated from the 15-day injured list April 11 and pitched 5 ⅔ innings against Washington that day, his first start of the 2025 season. Cabrera is 0-1 with a 6.75 ERA in two career starts against the Diamondbacks.
Coming up
Friday, April 18: At Chicago, 11:20 a.m., Diamondbacks RHP Corbin Burnes (0-1, 5.28) vs. Cubs RHP Ben Brown (2-1, 5.09).
Saturday, April 19: At Chicago, 11:20 a.m., Diamondbacks RHP Zac Gallen (1-2, 4.64) vs. Cubs RHP Ben Brown (2-1, 5.09).
Sunday, April 20: At Chicago, 11:20 a.m., Diamondbacks RHP Merrill Kelly (3-1, 5.57) vs. Cubs RHP Jameson Taillon (1-1, 5.40).
