PHOENIX -- Elvis Andrus on Sunday saw live game action for the first time since signing a Minor League contract with the D-backs on March 3.

The D-backs brought Andrus in to compete for a backup infield spot. With third baseman Eugenio Suarez, shortstop Geraldo Perdomo, Ketel Marte at second and Christian Walker at first, at-bats are going to be tough to come by for backups.

That’s why the D-backs sent their top prospect, shortstop Jordan Lawlar, to Triple-A Reno on Sunday. The organization wants him to receive regular at-bats, which would not happen the way the roster is currently constructed.

It’s also why they might not keep prospect Blaze Alexander on the Opening Day roster either, as Alexander would probably benefit from regular playing time.

That left veteran non-roster invitee Kevin Newman as the only true shortstop in camp. Veteran infielders Jace Peterson and Emmanuel Rivera do not have much experience at shortstop.

So to increase their options, the D-backs signed Andrus, a 15-year veteran who has extensive shortstop experience.

Andrus played 63 games at second base for the White Sox last year and three at third base. It was the only time in his career that he had played at those spots.

Knowing that he can handle short, the D-backs will probably give him more time at second and third as they evaluate him.

Andrus was 0-for-3 with a couple of strikeouts in a 12-1 loss to the Dodgers, but after not playing in a game since the end of last season and having less than a week of batting practice in camp, he’s more focused on getting his reps.

“It felt good, man,” Andrus said. “It was kind of weird being at third, but I’m very happy to be here and be able to play again this year. So just take it day by day at this point.”

Andrus played against the D-backs in the final week of last year’s regular season, and what he saw in that series was a big reason why he chose to sign with Arizona.

“It seemed like they were having a lot of fun,” Andrus said. “Everybody's super fast on the bases. You know, it's just a team that you want to be part of.”

FELT BETTER THAN IT LOOKED
The line score for Brandon Pfaadt was not pretty Sunday, as he allowed four runs over 2 2/3 innings, but there was a reason for that rough first inning he had.

Pfaadt was removed after he retired just two of the first six batters in the first inning, and then re-inserted into the game in the second.

“That’s the best I’ve felt in three starts, so I’m pleased with that,” Pfaadt said. “Obviously I would have liked the first inning to go a little differently but that’s over with and we move on.”

Pfaadt is slotted in to be the No. 4 starter, and with the D-backs and Dodgers set to face each other a lot during the regular season, the game plan was for Pfaadt not to show all his pitches, particularly his sweeper.

“Our whole goal was to show them something different,” Pfaadt said. “They put in their ‘A’ lineup, so we didn't want to show too much.”

Pfaadt did eventually go to the sweeper in the second inning and did not allow another run before exiting after the third.

FATHER-SON MOMENT
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts’ son, Cole, is a Minor League outfielder in the Arizona system, and manager Torey Lovullo made sure to put Cole Roberts on the roster for Sunday’s game.

Lovullo had Cole exchange lineup cards with Dave at home plate before the game, and printed up an extra lineup card for Cole to sign and give to his dad.

“I want to make sure I send up Cole up there to connect with his dad a little bit differently than he’ll ever be able to connect with him again on a baseball field,” Lovullo said before the game.

Said Dave, “Torey is such a pro and he gets it. Baseball is such a crazy small fraternity, and so for him to keep that in mind and make it happen, I won’t forget it.”