CINCINNATI -- D-backs manager Torey Lovullo said first baseman Paul Goldschmidt will likely be the club's designated hitter in at least one and maybe both of its upcoming games against the Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington on Monday and Tuesday.
"Paul wants to play every inning of every game," Lovullo said. "That is why he is a great leader. He wants to go out there every day and not have any innings taken away from him. Whether it will be one or two [games], I have not made that decision but it will definitely be one as a DH."
Goldschmidt has played in all but two of the D-backs' 119 games this season and slotting him as the team's designated hitter will keep him off of his feet when the team is in the field. Goldschmidt has one appearance at DH this season on May 26 against the Athletics. He has 26 career plate appearances as a DH, with five hits, four RBIs and two walks.
Bradley struggling with curveball
Archie Bradley gave up three of the four runs in Arizona's eighth-inning implosion in Saturday's 6-3 loss to the Reds. He is struggling with his curveball in part due to a fingernail issue on his right forefinger that he's been battling since June. The curveball is an important pitch for Bradley in keeping hitters off-balance. The right-hander offered seven fastballs to Tucker Barnhart in the at-bat which led to a go-ahead two-run double.
Bradley's curveball accounts for 16.2 percent of his total pitches this season compared to 21.4 percent last season, according to Statcast™. He has combatted that by throwing a two-seam sinking fastball, a pitch that accounts for 12.5 percent of his pitches in 2018 compared to just 0.1 percent last year.
"I do know he is aware of certain limitations that aren't working that need to improve," Lovullo said. "If he feels like he needs to get to that pitch, I am sure he is going to work as hard as he can to get to that pitch. If he needs to throw more curveballs in and out of the zone, he is going to make a great effort to ensure that happens."