Even in short spring, MLB teams go easy in buildup

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The big league spring training games begin in just two days.

The actual big league players who usually compete in those games might not be around for a little while longer.

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The Arizona Diamondbacks are among eight teams that have their first game Thursday when they play the Colorado Rockies at Salt River Fields. If their approach to Thursday's game is a bellwether for other organizations, it's unlikely the Vladimir Guerrero Jrs, Max Scherzers, Mike Trouts and Clayton Kershaws of the baseball world will be getting live at-bats or throwing fastballs over the next few days.

"I'm not going to ask any of the players who got here (Monday) to be ready on the 17th," D-backs manager Torey Lovullo said this week. "All those players who are going to be playing Game 1 on that field against the Rockies are in minor league camp."

Washington Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg throws live batting practice during the team's spring training baseball workout, Tuesday, March 15, 2022, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Lovullo said Monday was the first time he got the chance to really see his big league players perform on the field. The fifth-year manager said he's been impressed with how his players prepared during the lockout's uncertainty, and that knowledge will figure into his calculus for when he'll insert his starters into spring training games.

"We'll throw that all into the search engine and see when they'll step back on the field and get back in that arena," Lovullo said. "But it won't be Day 1. It won't be Day 2."

All 30 teams should have plenty of backup options available for the