Diamondbacks right-hander Ryan Thompson got a scare on Sunday afternoon, Feb. 22, at Salt River Fields.
Thompson was throwing a live batting practice session to Diamondbacks prospect Kristian Robinson when Robinson hit a sharp comebacker to the mound. The ball struck Thompson in the right shoulder/upper back area, and Thompson immediately fell in pain.
The small crowd watching gasped and groaned as Thompson went down. But the veteran reliever was able to stand up and walk around near the pitcher's mound. Moments later resumed his session.
Thompson said he was OK and gave a thumbs up after completing his session.
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo didn't have an update on Thompson, but said no report about the injury came across his desk, which tells Lovullo that Thompson is fine.
—José M. Romero
Drey Jameson ‘very encouraged’ by early sessions
Diamondbacks right-hander Drey Jameson came away feeling good about his live batting practice session over the weekend. Not only did he get good results, but the underlying data on his pitches left him feeling even more confident about his repertoire.
Jameson said his fastball was in the 97-100 mph range and was generating significant vertical movement in the range of 19 to 20 inches, far more ride than his four-seamer usually gets.
“I didn’t know my velocity was going to be up to there,” he said, “but I was more surprised by the 20 inches.”
Years ago, Jameson had to move away from his four-seamer in favor of a sinker in large part because of a lack of carry. Hitters tend to have an easier time handling four-seamers without much vertical movement.
Jameson says small changes to his delivery might explain the jump, and he believes that more carry on his fastball would be a huge boost.
“I’m very, very encouraged,” he said. “Everyone wants ‘vert’ on a four-seamer. And that’s why I went to the sinker in the first place was because I never had vert. If I can have that along with a sinker, along with the change-up and slider… Well, then it’ll just be about throwing it in the zone.”
Jameson has missed most of the past two seasons due to injury. He is competing for a bullpen spot in camp.
— Nick Piecoro
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona Diamondbacks notes and spring training game report