PHOENIX -- A.J. Pollock is scheduled to play center field for Triple-A Reno on Friday night when it plays in Tacoma, marking his first taste of a professional game since suffering an avulsion fracture in his left thumb on May 14 while diving for a ball in the outfield.
"I'm excited," Pollock said by phone. "Honestly, every step of the way has been a breeze. Everything went real smoothly, and I feel great."
Pollock said hand specialist Don Sheridan watched him take batting practice before clearing him to play, and that the medical staff has been impressed with the speed of the recovery.
Since the injury happened, Pollock has thrown himself into rehab with his trademark intensity.
"I love kind of pushing the envelope on things," Pollock said. "I love every step of the way, trying to maximize the recovery. I feel like I've hit every checkpoint. There wasn't any discomfort throughout the whole entire process from Week 1 until now. I think we're at a little over six weeks, and I'm about to play my first game, so I think that's pretty good success."
Pollock was in the midst of an All-Star-caliber season when he got hurt, hitting .293/.349/.620, and he hopes he is able to be activated sooner rather than later.
"When you get hurt, you're just trying to get yourself back as quick as possible to help the team," Pollock said. "I don't think it's going to take me very long at all. I feel like I've done a lot of stuff that kind of simulates facing a pitcher as much as I can. Obviously, it's a little different when you're actually out there and seeing the real thing, but it shouldn't be too long of a process."
Speaking of rehab assignments: Outfielder Steven Souza Jr., who has been limited to 47 plate appearances this year due to a strained right pectoral muscle, will join Reno as well Friday after appearing in two games for Class A Advanced Visalia.
As he did when he was with Visalia, Souza will be limited to designated-hitter duties.
Throwing was the one area that gave him some issues last month when he first tried to come back from the injury, so the team is being extra cautious this time around.
Souza was set to play catch from 120 or 130 feet Friday.
"We're trending towards that," D-backs manager Torey Lovullo said of when Souza might play in the field. "I don't want to give you an exact target date. We're probably going to spend a couple of days doing that and then hopefully get him on the field as soon as possible."
Reliever Randall Delgado, who has been bothered by a number of injuries this year, is expected to throw an inning for Reno on Friday.