D-backs catcher Carson Kelly said recently that he would be excited to make his first Opening Day start if he got the call against the Padres on Friday night.

Kelly found himself in the lineup at Petco Park after manager Torey Lovullo decided to pair him up with ace Madison Bumgarner.

Bumgarner threw primarily to Buster Posey during his 11 years pitching for the Giants, but he told Lovullo that he does not have a preference, nor does he need the same catcher for all his starts.

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However, with Kelly expected to get the majority of the starts behind the plate, Lovullo decided to pair the two up -- for now, at least.

“I don’t think he has a strong preference,” Lovullo said of Bumgarner, via a Zoom call with the media. “But I know there’s a certain familiarity that pitchers and catchers develop with one another. Obviously, we’re going to count on Carson in a very heavy manner. Once again, if it goes well, I’m going to stay with it. but I’m going to listen. I’m going to pay attention.”

Social justice messages
Most D-backs players wore T-shirts emblazoned with “Black Lives Matter” on them or ones honoring the Negro Leagues during batting practice Friday.

Veteran outfielder Jon Jay said the team had several meetings to discuss how they would handle making statements about social justice and that each player is free to approach it how they want.

“Guys are entitled to do whatever it is that they choose to with their heart,” Jay said. “You know, we had a group discussion about it, and that's kind of where we left that off. Whatever you want to do. It's up to you on an individual basis.

“The Diamondbacks have been great with everything that's been going on -- from the top to the bottom, having calls and just having open dialogue with everything that's been going on. So I want to commend the Diamondbacks organization on that.”

A portion of the pregame ceremony addressed racial injustice. In a show of unity, players from both teams picked up a long black cloth that stretched around the infield, after they were introduced. As they did, a Black Lives Matter video produced by The Players Alliance -- a nonprofit organization made up of Black current and former baseball players -- played on Petco Park’s video board.

Ray ready
Starting pitcher Robbie Ray came into Spring Training like a man on a mission, having lost at least a dozen pounds after changing his workout regimen.

When he reported to Summer Camp, it was more of the same. Teammates admired how disciplined he stayed during the layoff. Ray maintained a throwing program that he said had him ready to pitch in a game weeks ago.

Ray, who will face the Padres in Saturday’s 6:10 p.m. MST game at Petco Park, threw 97 pitches over seven simulated innings in his final tune-up at Chase Field.