Diamondbacks star 1B Paul Goldschmidt leaves St. Louis still stuck in slump

ST. LOUIS – Perhaps the most fascinating aspect of the Diamondbacks’ hot start is that they’ve managed to win seven of their first nine games without a significant contribution from Paul Goldschmidt, the slugger who for years has been their best player.

Goldschmidt entered Sunday’s series finale against the Cardinals with three hits in 26 at-bats (.115). While he had walked 10 times, he still hasn’t looked like his normal self.

He went 0 for 4 with two strikeouts in Sunday's win.

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As he sometimes does during slumps, Goldschmidt seems to have cut back on his aggressiveness at the plate; he’s swinging at just 33 percent of pitches, down from his career average of a little more than 40 percent.

Manager Torey Lovullo said he is noticing “a lot of hustle to his swing,” which is Lovullo’s way of saying there’s more added movement than when Goldschmidt is at his best.

“I think things are moving too quick,” Lovullo said, “to where his head might move or his hands are moving and he’s not in consistent loaded position.”

Goldschmidt’s cold start comes after he finished last year on a down note, going 0 for 17 to end the regular season. Throw in his 3-for-16 stretch in four playoff games last October and he’s 6 for his past 59 in games that count.

Lovullo said he’s seen progress from Goldschmidt in recent games and believes he could be close to breaking out.

“(Goldschmidt’s swing) is starting to get back into a more consistent loading position and now it’s just a matter of firing and squaring up the ball,” Lovullo said. “That’s what I see. I think it’s of minimal concern. I don’t feel like it’s going to linger. I think he’s going to go 30-100 (homers-RBIs). It’s just something he does every year. I know right now it’s not clicking for him, but I think it will shortly.”

Walker arrives

Starting the season in Triple-A Reno wasn’t what slugger Christian Walker had in mind – particularly after winning Pacific Coast League MVP last year – but he said he remained “in a good place” mentally despite the end-of-spring demotion.

“It’s frustrating,” he said after being recalled by the Diamondbacks on Sunday. “Everybody wants to make the team and be a part of the big league team. I definitely took it in stride. I’ve been a part of that conversation a few times in my career, so it’s nothing new, but at the same time it is the nature of the business.”

Though the Diamondbacks are planning to utilize him only as a pinch hitter or first baseman – it’ll likely be mostly the former with Paul Goldschmidt on the roster – Walker says he’s “pretty comfortable” in the outfield after playing there for much of the 2016 season.

He’s played mostly first the past two years but said he tries to shag fly balls every day in the outfield during batting practice.

News to him

Yankees second baseman Brandon Drury landed on the disabled list over the weekend due to “severe migraines” and blurry vision. Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman told reporters Drury had been dealing with migraines for six years and underwent an MRI that came back clean in 2016, according to reports.

Cashman said the Yankees were unaware of Drury’s migraine history. It was also news to Lovullo, who was not with the Diamondbacks in 2016 but said Drury never had those problems last season.

“I had no knowledge of that whatsoever,” Lovullo said. “I never saw any signs of any of that. He played hard. He played every game. He never had to come out of a starting lineup. I didn’t see any of that.”

Short hops

Right-hander Randall Delgado (strained oblique) threw a scoreless inning for High-A Visalia in the first outing of a rehab assignment, retiring the side in order without a strikeout. He’ll pitch again on Tuesday, Lovullo said.

*Right fielder Steven Souza Jr. (pectoral strain) had “a few hits” in six at-bats in a live batting practice session on Saturday, Lovullo said. Souza was scheduled to take Sunday off before hitting against on Monday.

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Monday's game

Diamondbacks at Giants

When: 7:15 p.m.

Where: AT&T Park, San Francisco.

Pitchers: Diamondbacks RHP Zack Godley (1-0, 1.29) vs. Giants LHP Derek Holland (0-1, 5.40).

TV/Radio: FSAZ/KMVP-FM (98.7), KHOV-FM (105.1).

Godley gave up one run in seven innings against the Dodgers on Tuesday in his first start of the season. … He was roughed up by the Giants in his only start against them last season, giving up six runs (five earned) in 4 1/3 innings. … Giants LF Hunter Pence is 4 for 5 with two home runs and a double in his career against Godley. … Holland gave up three runs in five innings against the Dodgers in his first start of the year. … He had a 6.20 ERA in 135 innings for the White Sox last season. … Holland averages about 91 mph with his fastball. He also throws a steady diet of curveballs, sliders and change-ups.

Coming up

Tuesday: At San Francisco, 7:15 p.m., Diamondbacks LHP Patrick Corbin (2-0, 1.38) vs. Giants RHP Johnny Cueto (1-0, 0.69).

Wednesday: At San Francisco, 12:45 p.m., Diamondbacks LHP Robbie Ray (2-0, 5.73) vs. Giants RHP Tyler Beede (0-0, 1.80)*.

Thursday: Off.

Friday: At Los Angeles, 7:10 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Zack Greinke (0-1, 5.06) vs. Dodgers LHP Rich Hill (1-0, 2.70).

*-Stats from minor leagues

Up next

San Francisco Giants

Giants update: The Giants opened their season with little offensive production, scoring just two times in their first four games, both runs coming via solo homers by 2B Joe Panik. At one point midway through their fifth game, they added a third run, with it, too, coming via a Panik homer. The offense has picked up since. In the past three games, the Giants have scored 21 runs. RF Andrew McCutchen broke out at the plate on Saturday evening, collecting six hits, including the walkoff homer, in a 14-inning victory over the Dodgers. The Giants pitching has been surprisingly good, as well, logging a 3.14 ERA despite being without LHP Madison Bumgarner (fractured finger), RHP Jeff Samardzija (pectoral strain) and RHP Mark Melancon (elbow).