Godley 'felt really good' in latest tuneup

PHOENIX -- If not for Travis Shaw, D-backs right-hander Zack Godley’s pitching line would’ve looked a lot different on Friday.

Shaw’s two homers accounted for all three of the runs that Godley gave up in the D-backs’ 6-3 loss to the Brewers at the American Family Fields of Phoenix Stadium.

“I felt really good,” Godley said. “Continuing to build on everything I’ve been working on coming into spring. Everything felt good, it was coming out really well. Even the pitches that were hit well, I thought they were still pretty good pitches, except for maybe one to Shaw.”

Shaw hit a two-run homer in the first inning that was helped by a stiff wind blowing out, and a solo shot in the in fourth that would have likely been out no matter what.

“The first one was a fastball away,” Godley said. “The second one was a cutter inside. The first one was a pretty good pitch. It was a little bit higher than what I would want it to be. Honestly, I didn’t think he got it that well, and then I turned around and it just kept floating. The second one, I mean, he just turned and burned on that one. You just chalk that up and tip your hat.”

Consulting with Greinke
All four of the D-backs' primary catchers have had a shot at working with Zack Greinke this spring.

Alex Avila caught one of his bullpen sessions; Carson Kelly was behind the plate for his live batting-practice session, as well as his first start; John Ryan Murphy caught him in a “B” game against the Angels; and Caleb Joseph got the nod in Thursday’s game.

D-backs manager Torey Lovullo will now sit down with his ace to get his thoughts on who will catch him throughout 2019.

Jeff Mathis caught Greinke last year, but he departed via free agency, and even though Greinke has said publicly that he would be open to working with multiple catchers this year, recent history indicates he prefers just one. Greinke threw two scoreless innings against the Indians with Joseph behind the plate.

“I know what he told you guys that it doesn’t matter, and I’ll respect that, too,” Lovullo said. “But I feel like Zack being at his absolute best is throwing to one guy. I just wanted to give everybody a shot at catching Zack for obvious reasons. Caleb is here competing, and I want to give him an opportunity to show us what he can do with one of the league’s best starting pitchers, and then I want to see what Zack thought about throwing to him.”

Lineup talk
Once the team gets back from its weekend series in Monterrey, Mexico, Arizona will begin to cut down the roster. That will give Lovullo a better feel for how to best order his lineup for Opening Day.

“There’s a point in the spring where it changes, where it flips,” Lovullo said. “We’re not quite there. We’re getting there. You’ve got to get that roster down, you’ve got to shape it down.”

Ketel Marte would seem to be a natural fit in the leadoff role given the alternatives, but Lovullo is not ready to commit to that just yet. With Marte already making the transition from second base to center field, Lovullo doesn’t want to give him another thing to think about right now.

“I’m still looking at some things with eyes wide open when it comes to the leadoff spot,” Lovullo said.

Up next
Luke Weaver will face the Royals at Salt River Fields on Saturday at 1:10 p.m. MST on MLB.TV, and then four hours later in Monterrey, Taylor Clarke will start for Arizona against the Rockies, a game that can be heard on Gameday Audio.