MIAMI — The Diamondbacks‘ signing of veteran outfielder Max Kepler to a one-year contract on Monday, June 8, goes back to the offseason, when the team sought some experience and a left-handed bat, assistant general manager Amiel Sawdaye told The Arizona Republic this week at loanDepot Park.
“He’s got some thump. He’s hit us quite a bit over the years,” Sawdaye said of Kepler, who is currently serving an 80-game suspension for testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance.
Kepler’s suspension ends June 25. He is allowed to go on a minor league rehab assignment effective Wednesday, June 10, before becoming eligible.
“The role for us to really face right-handed pitching,” Sawdaye said. “Over the years, it’s probably transitioned more to fewer lefties, more righties. For us, we do have guys (Lourdes) Gurriel coming back and the young players that are all right-handed.
“He’s still a really good defender. He’s still somebody we feel can go out in left (field) and even get Corbin (Carroll) off his feet one day or even late in the game.”
Kepler will play in as many games as possible before he is activated, Sawdaye said.
Vargas back in lineup
For the first time since Thursday, June 4, when he collided with the Dodgers’ Max Muncy and was banged up in a wild play at first base, Ildemaro Vargas got the start at first base June 10 for Arizona.
LuJames Groover had been manning the position while Vargas’ bruises healed, though Vargas did come off the bench to pinch hit and play defense twice since his injury. He sat out all of the first game in Miami.
Groover will continue to play, Lovullo said, but it could be less than before as Groover tries to find a rhythm with the bat. Manager Torey Lovullo explained to Vargas that Groover might cut into his playing time, but to be ready.
“It was a couple of days of him really grinding it out,” Lovullo said of Vargas. “He’s through all that.”
Diamondbacks at Marlins, 3:40 p.m., Cox Ch. 34
Diamondbacks RHP Ryne Nelson (2-4, 4.60) vs. Marlins RHP Ryan Gusto (0-1, 10.80).
At loanDepot Park: Nelson has shown signs of consistency, with at least seven innings of work in four of his past five starts. However, he has given up 15 home runs after allowing just 17 all of last season and 17 the year before. … Nelson gave up a run on five hits in six innings in his only career start against the Marlins, but got a no-decision. … Gusto has one start and three appearances this season. … He’s given up three earned runs in two innings in each of his past two appearances, and could be scratched from this scheduled start if the Marlins need him out of the bullpen.
Coming up
Thursday, June 11: At Miami, 10:10 a.m., Diamondbacks RHP Merrill Kelly (5-4, 5.71) vs. Marlins RHP Tyler Phillips (0-1, 2.08).
Friday, June 12: At Cincinnati, 4:15 p.m., Diamondbacks LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (5-2, 2.52) vs. Reds LHP Nick Lodolo (2-1, 5.51).
Saturday, June 13: At Cincinnati, 1:10 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Michael Soroka (8-3, 3.28) vs. RHP Rhett Lowder (3-3, 5.01).
(This story has been updated to add information.)
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Diamondbacks vs Marlins updates. Talking Max Kepler signing
