Jonny Gomes joins D-backs as guest coach

NEW YORK -- Jonny Gomes, an outfield and baserunning coordinator in the D-backs organization, has joined the big league club as a guest coach.

Gomes, who played 13 years in the Majors, has been hanging with first-base coach Dave McKay, who is teaching him the ropes about coaching in the big leagues. Gomes also gives his input on hitting when the players are working in the indoor batting cage.

“Jonny’s input is widely respected,” D-backs manager Torey Lovullo said. “Everybody knows what he has done in this game. He has special things to say. He gives you a little bit of a different color. We value his opinion.”

With Gomes in the mix, the D-backs have moved assistant hitting coach Eric Hinske into the dugout for the rest of the season.

Injury report

• D-backs right-hander Taijuan Walker, who hasn’t pitched in a Major League game since early 2018 after undergoing Tommy John surgery, had a bullpen session on Tuesday and threw 14 pitches without any problems. Lovullo is not sure if Walker will pitch in a big league game this season.

“Once he came off the mound, you could see the smile on his face. It was a really encouraging sign for all of us,” Lovullo said. “It was a long, grinding road for him. I know he is in a good spot. I don’t know what the next steps are. We’ll see how he feels tomorrow.”

• Right-hander Luke Weaver had a bullpen session at the D-backs’ Spring Training facility in Scottsdale and didn’t have any problems. Now, according to Lovullo, the team must figure out the next steps for Weaver, who could throw his second simulated game or pitch in a Minor League game.