'Good to be back': Carson Kelly among early arrivals for Spring Training

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- As he would drive past Salt River Fields on the Loop 101 freeway headed to his daily workout the last couple of weeks, D-backs catcher Carson Kelly would look and see activity on the complex's vast array of fields as Minor Leaguers went through an early spring camp.

"It gives you that itch," Kelly said.

Finally, on Friday Kelly got to join in the action along with a number of Arizona's 40-man roster players who began reporting to camp following the end of the lockout.

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"It's been good to be back," Kelly said. "You know, it's only been about an hour or so, but it's good to see everybody, catch up with everyone and I'm just enjoying everything."

The mandatory reporting date for players is Sunday but those who live in the area got a jump on things Friday. There were no formal workouts for 40-man roster players, and some position players hit in the covered batting cages while a few pitchers threw bullpen sessions.

There will not be a lot of time for players to get ready for games with the D-backs set to open Cactus League play Thursday against the Rockies. The opener for the regular season is April 7 against the Padres at Chase Field.

It's a condensed schedule, but one that a lot of the players went through in 2020 when they had a summer camp in July before opening that 60-game season, and that experience could come in handy this time around.

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"Guys have been talking about that and it's going to be quick, you know, games start on Thursday," Kelly said. "Guys are ready. We've been training, we've been talking a lot about what do we need to do when we get to camp. How can we accelerate things and get things ready to go? So, you know, I think we're in a really good spot going forward."

Rojas good to go

Infielder/outfielder Josh Rojas had surgery after last season to "clean up" the joint in his left (non-throwing) shoulder.

Rojas began feeling some discomfort in the shoulder just prior to the All-Star break but was able to play through it. However, it got more and more painful the last month-plus of the regular season.

"The cartilage was frayed," Rojas said. "I tried to do everything I could to get it to feel good for each and every game, but I mean, there was some pain there at the end of the year and probably limited the power numbers a little bit. But I fought through it and I was out there."

Rojas said he noticed the difference in the shoulder as soon as the morning after the surgery and he's a full go as camp gets started.

"It's doing really well," Rojas said. "I'm really happy. I did the surgery. It feels good. I've been doing everything, hitting, throwing, taking ground balls. Everything feels good."