Koch gets start for Cactus League opener

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Right-hander Matt Koch will get the start for the D-backs on Saturday when they open Cactus League play against the Rockies at Salt River Fields.

Koch made 14 starts and five relief appearances for the D-backs last season. With the starting rotation looking set as of now, Koch’s best bet and most valuable role may be as a long reliever.

If Koch, who is out of Minor League options, filled the long role, that would allow the team to use lefty T.J. McFarland in more of a matchup-type role rather than as a long man like he was last year.

“It enables us to do some things a little bit differently with different guys if we have Koch in that [long] role,” manager Torey Lovullo said.

Rain day

Rain kept the D-backs off the fields Thursday, but they still had a productive day, according to Lovullo.

“We were able to get in the cages and get some guys some swings -- yes, perfect,” Lovullo said. “A couple of pitchers got off the mounds, perfect. But we had a bunch of meetings in settings where there’s zero stimulus, there’s a ton of interaction, there’s a ton of teaching, there’s a ton of learning, a lot of questions being asked, and I’m a big believer in that. Especially this time of year, where guys are able to sit down and listen to our concepts, understand our concepts and know what our strategy is.”

Fork ‘em

Lovullo is an admirer of Arizona State University head basketball coach Bobby Hurley and he was sitting courtside Wednesday night when the Sun Devils beat Stanford at Wells Fargo Arena.

With the game on Wednesday, instead of the usual Thursday night, and the Sun Devils needing every win they can get in order to make the NCAA Tournament, Hurley had made a number of public comments this week asking for fans to show up.

“Loved it,” Lovullo said. “Loved being there. Look when Coach says that he needs people to come out there, I feel like he’s talking to me. I went out there and it was a pretty hopping atmosphere. I had a really good seat and I was thankful for that. I want to thank the athletic department for hooking me up.”