SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Batters may have to keep an eye out for another pitch when they face D-backs reliever Yoshihisa Hirano this year. The righty threw a pair of curveballs Wednesday afternoon in a “B” game against the NC Dinos of the Korean Baseball Organization.

Signed out of Japan last year to a two-year contract, Hirano had an outstanding season for the D-backs in 2018, compiling a 2.44 ERA in 75 relief appearances. He throws a fastball-split mix and has, in the past, thrown a slider. So why is he working on a curveball?

“Because my slider didn’t really have any break in it,” Hirano said with a smile.

The curve did Wednesday, as he got a groundout on one of them and got a strike early in the count on the other.

That seems to be the most likely way Hirano will use the curve -- early in counts to get a strike -- rather than as an out pitch.

Weaver debuts

Hirano followed Luke Weaver on the mound. It was the first outing in a D-backs uniform for Weaver, who came over from St. Louis in the Paul Goldschmidt trade.

Weaver threw a pair of scoreless innings, allowing a hit and a walk to open the second before he got a double play.

“I felt good,” Weaver said. “I had a little bit of adrenaline going on a back-field game, which is good. First inning, kind of came out with some good energy. Second inning, calmed down a little bit. Limited the damage and got out of there with zero runs. That’s a good sign.”

Weaver said he didn’t have more nerves because it was his first outing with his new team. General manager Mike Hazen was in attendance, along with managing general partner Ken Kendrick and team president/CEO Derrick Hall.

“It’s like that every time,” Weaver said, of his adrenaline. “I was telling [pitching coach Mike Butcher] in the first inning, 'If my fastball is coming out a little hotter than it might the other innings, just know it’s because I’m excited and got some good energy going.' I’ve got to just harness that and be Cool Hand Luke at that point.”

On the mend

Outfielder Jarrod Dyson, who was diagnosed with a strained left oblique Tuesday, said he does not believe the injury will keep him out of action for long.

“It’s day to day, but it’s nothing to worry about,” Dyson said. “I’ve had a pulled oblique before and I know how bad that feels, so this is nothing like the last time that I pulled my oblique. It’s just a little minor strain. I’m looking forward to being back out there next week.”

Up next

The D-backs host the Indians on Thursday afternoon at Salt River Fields with Merrill Kelly getting the start. This will be the right-hander’s first outing in a D-backs uniform since signing a two-year deal with a pair of club options this offseason. Kelly spent the past four seasons pitching in the Korean Baseball Organization.