Nick PiecoroArizona Republic
After watching the ball leave Jo Adell’s bat, Diamondbacks right-hander Slade Cecconi sort of collapsed on the mound like a lawn chair unfolding. No matter what he tried on Wednesday night, nothing seemed to work, and by the time his night was over, the game pretty much was, as well.
The Diamondbacks were hammered, 8-3, by the Los Angeles Angels. Cecconi gave up seven runs in another uninspiring performance. It again called attention to a reality the Diamondbacks are probably going to have to live with for at least the next week or two:
They are nearing the end of their pitching depth, and until right-hander Zac Gallen returns from his mild hamstring strain, they might not have much choice than to keep rolling with what they have.
“We know the guys are banged up,” manager Torey Lovullo said of his injury-riddled rotation. “It’s an incredible opportunity for some of our young pitchers to go out and get this opportunity to show us what they can do. We’ve seen it in spurts and that’s what spoils us. We just want it to be consistent.”
Cecconi gave up single runs in each of the first three innings, then allowed four consecutive hits to open the fourth. The big blow was Adell’s three-run homer that made it 6-0; Cecconi briefly went down to a knee in frustration as the ball found its way into the left-field seats.
Meanwhile, the Diamondbacks offense did little against Angels right-hander Jose Soriano, who threw eight-plus overpowering innings. He took a shutout into the eighth before Christian Walker popped a solo shot. Soriano departed one batter into the ninth, and Ketel Marte clubbed a two-run homer off reliever Matt Moore to round out the scoring.
Cecconi started the season in the minors but was called up in late April and turned in a pair of impressive outings. It has been mostly downhill from there; he has given up 30 earned runs in his past 30 1/3 innings in the majors.
A slew of injuries has left the Diamondbacks with few options. In addition to Gallen, the club is without right-hander Merrill Kelly, left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez and left-hander Blake Walston. Another starter on the 40-man roster, Drey Jameson, is out for the year following Tommy John surgery.
The Diamondbacks have only two other healthy starting pitching options on their 40-man: right-hander Humberto Castellanos, who was pounded for five runs in 2 1/3 innings in a relief appearance last week in San Diego, and right-hander Cristian Mena, a prospect whom team officials have said they would like to have spend most, if not all, of the season developing in the minors.
Castellanos isn’t even an option for the time being. He was sent down after his outing last week, he has to remain in the minors for 15 days.
As it stands, the rotation includes one veteran, lefty Jordan Montgomery, and four young starters: Brandon Pfaadt, Ryne Nelson, Cecconi and Tommy Henry — though because Henry is likely to pitch this weekend in a bulk relief role for the second time in as many outings he might not even count as a starter.
Lovullo said the organization had not yet talked about whether Cecconi would get another start and pushed back on the idea that the Diamondbacks are limited in terms of options.
“We’ve got guys that can come in here and get the job done,” he said. “I want it to be the group that’s here. I don’t want anybody to move off of this team.”
But the reality is unless the team decides to go with Mena or makes a move with its 40-man roster, Cecconi seems likely to get another opportunity.
Speaking with reporters after the game, he seemed to think he and pitching coach Brent Strom had identified a mechanical issue that led to issues on Wednesday night.
“My hip is drifting, my arm is late,” Cecconi said. “Just drifting down the mound without the rest of the body going. It’s causing very consistent misses. We need to get to work on that starting tomorrow.”
Thursday’s Diamondbacks-Angels pitching matchup
Angels at Diamondbacks, 6:40 p.m., Cox, Ch. 34
Diamondbacks RHP Brandon Pfaadt (2-5, 4.60) vs. Angels RHP Griffin Canning (2-6, 4.65).
At Chase Field: Pfaadt gave up five runs in 5⅓ innings against the Padres on Friday, allowing three homers in a loss at Petco Park. … In his past three outings, Pfaadt has been charged with 13 earned runs in 18⅓ innings, though he only had four walks with 18 strikeouts in that span. … He has never faced the Angels in his career. … Pfaadt’s batted-ball numbers suggest some poor luck with his slider; opponents have slugged .462 off the pitch but the data suggests it should be a .330 slugging. … Canning has logged consecutive quality starts, most recently working into the seventh inning against the Astros after doing the same against the Mariners. … Canning is allowing more walks and striking out fewer hitters year over year. … He faced the Diamondbacks last season, giving up five runs in six innings. LF Lourdes Gurriel Jr. connected for a grand slam off him in the first inning of that start.
Coming up
Friday: At Chase Field, 6:40 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Ryne Nelson (3-5, 5.96) vs. White Sox RHP Chris Flexen (2-5, 5.06).
Saturday: At Chase Field, 7:10 p.m., Diamondbacks TBA vs. White Sox RHP Erick Fedde (4-1, 3.10).
Sunday: At Chase Field, 1:10 p.m., Diamondbacks LHP Jordan Montgomery (4-4, 6.58) vs. White Sox RHP Drew Thorpe (0-0, 1.80).
