D-Backs notebook: Johnson scheduled for first spring start

Randy Johnson is scheduled to make his first spring training start Monday against Colorado at Tucson's Hi Corbett Field. "This is exactly where we had it mapped out to, yet we weren't going to get too far ahead of ourselves," Arizona manager Bob Melvin said.

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As he did to prepare at times last season, Johnson threw on flat ground in the outfield grass, not off a mound, at Mesa's Hohokam Stadium on Saturday.

Johnson then spent several minutes signing baseballs, hats and trading cards for anyone who asked as he walked toward the D-Backs' dugout along the third-base line.

"I think everybody is" excited, "probably him more than anybody else. Everything's progressed well," Melvin said.

Pitchers often work only two innings in their first spring start, but Melvin did not set a limit on Johnson, saying "we'll see. Play it by ear."

Johnson will take his first day of pitchers' fundamental practice today to tune up for his start.

As for Johnson's availability for the opening of the regular season, Melvin said: "We'll see."

OWINGS BACK
Micah Owings found some flaws with his delivery but said he felt no shoulder pain in his first appearance since being scratched from a scheduled outing March 3 with general shoulder soreness.

Owings gave up four runs on five hits in 1 2/3 innings of a 4-1 loss to the Cubs Saturday before leaving when he reached 50 pitches. It was his first appearance since Feb. 28.

"I just need to keep working mechanically," he said. "I was opening my front side and coming across my body. It's something I'll resolve quickly."

Owings was to hit seventh in the order Saturday, but did not get to hit because Jon Lieber faced the minimum six batters through the first two innings.

"It's an honor," Owings said of hitting seventh. "But I'm going to focus on getting on the mound every fifth day."

BONIFACIO SHOWS VERSATILITY
Emilio Bonifacio made his second consecutive start in left field on Saturday against the Cubs, adding to his versatility while giving the D-Backs another roster option if injuries open a spot or two.

The D-Backs still envision Bonifacio, considered the fastest man in the organization, as a second baseman, Melvin said, "based on what he did for us last year, the speed he brings to the table, a lot of things he can do for a team.

"If he can play the outfield with it, too, it gives us some flexibility with him. He's comfortable out there. He's a great athlete."

Bonifacio hit .300 with six stolen bases in 34 games with Licey in the Dominican winter league, then stole three more bases when Licey won the Caribbean World Series.

MONTERO EXAMINED
Miguel Montero (fractured right index finger) was examined by Dr. Don Sheridan on Friday and cleared to participate in light activity for a week before another CT scan next Saturday.

If that scan is negative, Montero can begin full activity, although the limited time in spring makes opening day "probably a stretch, but who knows?" Melvin said.

"Once he gets in some games and if he feels comfortable real quick and is doing enough to keep himself physically in shape, then it's just based on how many at-bats we can get him without rushing him," Melvin said.

SHORT HOPS
The D-Backs drew their largest crowd of the spring, 12,782, at Hohokam Park Saturday.

The D-Backs led the major leagues with 72 runs entering Saturday's game.

What: The Diamondbacks return to Tucson for the first of three straight games down south, meeting Seattle at 1:05 p.m. at Tucson Electric Park, as Brandon Webb is scheduled to make his third start of the spring.

TV/Radio: None/KTAR (92.3 FM).

Pitchers: Diamondbacks - Brandon Webb, Brandon Medders, Juan Gutierrez, Leo Rosales, Seattle - Horacio Ramirez, Sean White, Joe Woerman, Philip Barzilla, Stephen Kahn, Phillipe Aumont.

Records: Diamondbacks 5-6-1, Seattle 4-5

Cubs 4, D-Backs 1

Notable pitching: Micah Owings gave up five hits and two walks, getting five outs in his first start since Feb. 28. Chad Qualls got two strikeouts on a slider and induced a groundout in a 1-2-3 fifth. Yusmeiro Petit struck out three and gave up two singles in two innings.

Notable hitting: Former Cub Augie Ojeda had a triple and a single, the only two hits the D-Backs got in four innings against Cubs starter Jon Lieber. Justin Upton singled and had his team-leading third stolen base. Javier Brito knocked in the D-Backs' only run with a double to the fence in right-center field in the eighth.