SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Chris Owings on Friday took his first swings of spring training, the next step in a progression toward Opening Day.
"It was good to get back out there and be a baseball player again," Owings said after facing live pitching on the Salt River Fields back diamonds. "That's probably the main thing."
Owings underwent surgery to repair the labrum in his left shoulder in October after he suffered the injury in late June. He stood in the batter's box and tracked the ball early in camp but did not face live pitching until Friday morning. Owings also took regular batting practice later in the day.
"No issues. Wasn't thinking about the shoulder, and that's probably the first thing to try to get over," Owings said. "Made contact. Felt good. I think the main thing is just the timing, which these guys are are still trying to work on now."
The D-backs have said Owings will be a starter this season, at either second base or shortstop, depending how the rest of the middle infield plays itself out. Aaron Hill is contending for the starting job at second, and Nick Ahmed at shortstop.
Owings hit .261 with six home runs and 26 RBI in 91 games last season, returning briefly in September before he was shut down again because of the shoulder issue. He was fourth among NL rookies in slugging percentage (.406) and fifth in doubles (15) and extra- base hits (27) despite not playing a full season. His 1.8 WAR was fourth among NL rookies, according to FanGraphs.
The D-backs expect Owings to make his spring debut in mid-March. He is expected to take batting practice again Saturday. The plan is to give Owings at-bats in simulated games or minor league games before he gets into a Cactus League game.
"We've slowed him down because that swing was important," D-backs manager Chip Hale. "I think today was a huge day for him."
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