Diamondbacks' Alek Thomas to have more tests on hamstring; Sewald back with team

CINCINNATI — Diamondbacks center fielder Alek Thomas felt more discomfort in his left hamstring on what was expected to be the final day of his rehab assignment with Triple-A Reno, and the organization opted to send him back to Phoenix for more testing.

Thomas had been expected to return from the injured list, where he has been since straining his hamstring on March 31, in time for Tuesday’s series opener against the Reds at Great American Ball Park.

Lovullo said Thomas felt discomfort late in his game with Reno on Sunday.

“He walked in after the game and said, ‘Something’s not right and I just want to speak up,’ which he did. He rested yesterday (Monday), tried to test it out today pregame and then he once again didn’t feel right.”

Thomas is expected to undergo an MRI on Wednesday, Lovullo said.

Diamondbacks reinstate closer Paul Sewald, option Scott McGough

CINCINNATI — The Diamondbacks have reinstated closer Paul Sewald from the injured list and optioned right-hander Scott McGough to Triple-A Reno.

Sewald missed the first six weeks of the season with a strained left oblique, an injury he sustained during the last week of spring training.

Sewald made a major impact on the club’s bullpen last year after a midseason acquisition from the Seattle Mariners. The Diamondbacks, whose bullpen has struggled this year, are hoping he can do the same this season.

McGough did not pitch well in 15 appearances, logging a 6.75 ERA in 16 innings. Signed prior to last season in hopes of being a late-inning option out of the bullpen, he has not yet been able to hold down that kind of role with any regularity.

Short hops

—Gabriel Moreno was out of the lineup on Tuesday due to an illness, Lovullo said. Moreno was expected to be available off the bench, Lovullo said, adding that he hoped to have him back in the lineup on Wednesday.

—Left-hander Kyle Nelson underwent surgery on Monday to address thoracic outlet syndrome, Lovullo said. Nelson will miss the rest of the season but should be fully recovered sometime next spring, if not earlier.

Zac Gallen expected back on mound for opener vs. Reds

CINCINNATI — The Arizona Diamondbacks will send right-hander Zac Gallen to the mound as they look to win their first series opener since beating the Colorado Rockies on Opening Day. He will face Cincinnati Reds right-hander Frankie Montas, who is making his first start following a two-week stint on the injured list.

Gallen has not pitched since April 26, the night he exited his start against the Seattle Mariners with tightness in his right hamstring.

Though initially he was not expected to miss a start, the Diamondbacks opted to give him additional time to rest after the rotation was jumbled by the bee delay game last week.

Gallen was not as sharp in his previous two outings as he had been in his first four, giving up eight runs in 10 innings.

He has faced the Reds three times in his career, logging a 3.93 ERA. He hasn’t seen them since giving up two runs in seven innings in a start at Chase Field on June 15, 2022.

Like Gallen, Montas is coming off a somewhat minor injury. He last pitched on April 21 when he was struck on the right forearm by a comebacker from Angels LF Taylor Ward.

Montas missed nearly all of last year with shoulder issues, making just one appearance late in the season for the Yankees.

He averages 93-94 mph with his fastball. His best pitch is a splitter that generates whiffs at a 38.7 percent rate.

More DBacks: 4 things the Diamondbacks need to get season back on track

Wednesday’s Diamondbacks-Reds pitching matchup

Diamondbacks at Reds, 3:40 p.m., Cox, Ch. 34

Diamondbacks LHP Jordan Montgomery (1-2, 5.63) vs. Reds RHP Graham Ashcraft (3-1, 3.63).

At Great American Ball Park: Montgomery had his first rough outing with his new team last week, giving up six runs in three innings in an 8-0 loss to the Dodgers. CF Andy Pages and C Will Smith each took Montgomery deep. … Prior to that, Montgomery had turned in a pair of sharp performances against the Giants and Cardinals. … He has faced the Reds four times in his career, including twice last season, when he posted a 3.60 ERA with four walks and 10 strikeouts in 10 innings. … Ashcraft has had some of the more explosive stuff in the majors the past few years but has struggled to turn it into results. He has been getting a little more swing and miss and has been getting better results out of his slider than he did last year. … He fired six innings against the Padres in his most recent start, giving up two runs, both unearned, with two walks and four strikeouts. … He has faced the Diamondbacks twice in his career, pitching well both times. In a start last year, he gave up two runs in 6 2/3 innings.

Coming up

Thursday: At Cincinnati, 10:10 a.m., Diamondbacks RHP Slade Cecconi (1-2, 4.96) vs. Reds RHP Hunter Greene (1-2, 3.12).

Friday: At Baltimore, 4:05 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Brandon Pfaadt (1-2, 4.61) vs. Orioles LHP Cole Irvin (3-1, 2.86).

Saturday: At Baltimore, 1:05 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Ryne Nelson (2-2, 5.23) vs. Orioles LHP John Means (1-0, 0.00).

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: DBacks updates: Alek Thomas more tests on hamstring; Paul Sewald back