GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- The story from the first time the Arizona Diamondbacks ran out the intriguing pitching trio of Jeremy Hellickson, Daniel Hudson and Yoan Lopez got flipped on Friday.
Hellickson and Hudson, who looked sharp in their first spring apperances, got knocked around for six runs in the first three innings of a 6-2 loss to the Cleveland Indians.
"Both guys struggled to get that outside strike, which is important if you're a pitcher, and the difference between 1-0 and 0-1 is huge," Arizona manager Chip Hale said.
The case for Cuban acquisition Yoan Lopez, who got beat up in his first major league action a week ago, was quite the opposite. Lopez went two innings, walking one, striking out two and not allowing a hit at Goodyear Stadium. This after he lasted 1 2/3 innings last week, giving up four runs and six hits.
"I thought it was a huge step forward for Yoan," Hale said. "We knew going into his first start in a real game it was going to be a struggle for him -- just, his anxiety level was way too high. I thought he was a lot calmer this time. He was a real bright spot today for us."
This was the Lopez the D-backs have seen in bullpen sessions and batting practice. He used a heavier mix of pitches compared to his first outing, which Hale essentially called an expected one.
"I think he was so excited to get out there and impress that he'd just overthrow," Hale said of his first game. "It's like hitting a golf ball; if you just overswing you don't hit it far."
Jeremy Hellickson
Hellickson lasted 1 2/3 innings, giving up seven hits and three runs, two of which were homers. Jose Ramirez smacked a solo shot to right field in the second inning on a 2-2 count, and two batters later, Matthew Bourn took Hellickson back to right on a 1-0 count.
"I felt good," he said. "I just left too many balls up. It started really first pitch of the game and didn't make the adjustment. I thought I made some good pitches that got hit, just fell behind too many guys that second inning."
Hale reaffirmed the expectation that Hellickson's performance wasn't especially damning toward how the team views him as a starting pitcher.
Daniel Hudson
There was no update on Hudson's health situation. If that's good or bad is anyone's guess. On one hand, Hudson's second spring game Friday didn't lead to any immediate worries of injury for the pitcher looking to define a role following two Tommy John surgeries. He went two innings, like his first outing, and gave up a three-run homer to Brett Hayes in the third.
The concerning part of of all this: Neither the D-backs nor Hudson know what the next step is. Soon they'll need to determine whether the former starting pitcher is that, or if he'd be best suited coming out of the bullpen.
"It all depends on how it feels, I hate to keep saying it over and over: It's a day-to-day thing," Hudson said. "I can't tell you how it makes them feel, having to go start-to-start with me. Hopefully they're OK with it."
Hale also said he had no problem moving forward by slowly increasing Hudson's pitching load. That is, if Hudson feels comfortable doing so.
Look for Arizona to make its first roster cut on Sunday, Hale said ... Searching for a lefty or two in the bullpen, Hale is comfortable with veteran Oliver Perez, but much remains to be seen regarding Matt Reynolds, who will pitch for the second time Saturday, and others. "Oliver is Oliver. We're not worried about Oliver," Hale said ... Hale mentioned that Andrew Chafin, who has been steady thus far, could potentially play as a long man in the bullpen.
Cliff Pennington started at shortstop on Friday in his return to the team after missing time because of the birth of his daughter ... Yasmany Tomas, originally slated to play against the Indians, sat out because he had a headache Friday morning
The Diamondbacks will split the team to play an afternoon game against the Mariners and a night outing against the Giants.
Mariners vs. Diamondbacks
Saturday, 1:10 p.m., Salt River Fields
Probable pitchers: Arizona -- RHP Rubby De La Rosa, LHP Justin Marks, RHP Jake Barrett, LHP Matt Reynolds. Seattle -- RHP Taijuan Walker, RHP Dominic Leone, RHP Tom Wilhelmsen, RHP Fernando Rodney, THP Yoervis Media, LHP Lucas Luetge.
Giants vs. Diamondbacks
Saturday, 7:10 p.m., Salt River Fields
Probable pitchers: Arizona -- RHP Chase Anderson, RHP Aaron Blair, RHP Enrique Burgos, LHP Dan Runzler. San Francisco -- RHP Ryan Vogelsong, RHP Chris Heston, RHP George Kontos, RHP Joan Gregorio, LHP Steven Okert.
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