Marte's rehab assignment set for Triple-A

PHOENIX -- Ketel Marte's recovery from a right hamstring strain is heading on the road.

The D-backs outfielder will play his first rehab game for Triple-A Reno on Monday, when the Aces are scheduled to host the Las Vegas Aviators. Marte played a six-inning simulated game against Rockies players at Arizona’s alternate training site at Salt River Fields on Saturday, and he came out of that in great shape, according to manager Torey Lovullo.

“I feel very good about where he’s at,” Lovullo said. “I got the chance to watch him play 10 innings over the past two days out at Salt River, and it seemed like he’s in the right headspace, and physically, seems to be in a very good spot as well. It’s getting close.”

It hasn’t yet been decided how many games Marte will play for Reno before getting activated from the injured list, which he’s been on since April 8. Most of his recovery to this point has taken place at Salt River Fields, but Marte has also made several appearances at Chase Field, where he’s worked out with the team.

Although Lovullo believes that Marte has made great progress, the manager thought it would be valuable for Marte to go on a Minor League rehab assignment, rather than heading straight from simulated games back to big league action.

“It was my opinion that you’re going to wake up, you’re going to get in the car, you’re going to drive in the ballpark, you’re going to have a normal pregame activity, you’re going to play against a team in another uniform, you’re going to hit every two to three innings,” Lovullo said. “You’re just going to collect your thoughts and prepare yourself mentally as you would for a big league baseball game, and I feel like there’s some importance to that.”

When Marte returns, he should provide a boost to Arizona’s offense and bring stability to center field. He’s batted .462/.500/.846 with four doubles, two homers and five RBIs in six games this season.

Devenski weighing options
The D-backs placed three players on the injured list on Saturday, including reliever Chris Devenski. The right-hander went on the 60-day IL with a right UCL sprain.

When asked if surgery is an option for Devenski, Lovullo said the righty is “weighing out all options right now.”

“We’ve got some decisions to make; I think he’s also gathering some more information,” Lovullo said.

Devenski, who signed with Arizona in February, posted an 8.59 ERA in his first eight appearances with the team.

Mathisen traded to Rays
The D-backs announced that they traded infielder/outfielder Wyatt Mathisen to the Rays for cash considerations. Mathisen was designated for assignment by Arizona on Wednesday.

Mathisen hit .119/.255/.190 with one home run and eight RBIs in 23 games for the D-backs this year. He signed with Arizona prior to the 2019 season, and he had his first stint in the big leagues in ’20, when he hit .222/.364/.444 with two homers and five RBIs in nine games.

Rotation still in flux
Left-hander Madison Bumgarner will start Monday’s series opener against the Dodgers in Los Angeles, but the D-backs haven’t announced their rotation plans beyond that. Arizona is currently without right-handers Zac Gallen (right UCL sprain) and Taylor Widener (right groin strain), who will be making a rehab start for Reno on Tuesday.

In a span of four days this week, the D-backs had two pitchers make their first career starts. Right-hander Matt Peacock started Wednesday’s loss to the Marlins, while righty Seth Frankoff started Saturday’s win over the Nationals.

Lovullo said that Frankoff, who allowed two runs in 4 2/3 innings to take a no-decision, will be a candidate to start again the next turn through the rotation, which also currently includes right-handers Merrill Kelly, Riley Smith and Luke Weaver, who started Sunday’s finale vs. the Nationals.

“We’re just trying to maximize matchups and make sure we have guys available to get through the game [Sunday], as crazy as it sounds,” Lovullo said. “You’ve seen what’s happened to us, we’ve been shorthanded, we’ve had to pitch position players, and we want to avoid that.”