D-Backs notebook: Johnson's health tops rotation priorities

TUCSON - In a perfect world, the D-Backs might like to fit Randy Johnson between Brandon Webb and Dan Haren in the rotation, as they are currently aligned.

Big Unit upbeat after 1st spring outing

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For now, the D-Backs will concern themselves with Johnson's health above all, and that could mean he will be pushed back from a scheduled start or skipped entirely.

"I think last year he started to understand that health is more important than necessarily routine," Arizona manager Bob Melvin said.

"He has been very, very routine-oriented, and I think now he knows how he feels each and every time out is more important than staying on kind of a strict routine."

If Johnson needs more time to recover from a certain start, Edgar Gonzalez could be called on to fill in, as he did several times last season.

"That's just something we'll have to deal with," Melvin said.

Melvin said he would not have qualms about starting left-handers Johnson and Doug Davis on back-to-back days if it works out that way.

"It is two completely different types of lefties," Melvin said.

"Left-handers stay in the lineup for Davis, whereas Randy will see predominately right-handed hitters. We'll get him in there more based on time than actually where we want to slot him in."

FIRST LOOK

Chris Burke and Trot Nixon will get their official introductions to first base this week.

While neither has spent a major league day at first, Burke will start there against Kansas City today and Nixon will play there when minor league games begin later in the week.

"It's good to get some game experience over there if a situation does arise during the season," said Burke, who has played second base, shortstop and all three outfield positions in his five major league seasons.

"You have to make sure you know where to be" on cutoffs and relays. "I'm good with whatever Bob wants me to do."

Robby Hammock already has played parts of several spring games at first base, as the D-Backs want to make sure they are covered in case Chad Tracy is unable to open the regular season with them, or if he is only available as a pinch-hitter.

Nixon has played 1,060 career games over 11 major league seasons - 1,047 in the outfield and 13 as a DH.

"There is a lot of stuff to do over there at first. I might make some mistakes, but I'm ready for it," Nixon said.

Nixon and Burke have been doing early work at first with infield coach Chip Hale this spring.

TRACY GETTING CLOSER

Chad Tracy expects to be taken off blood thinners for the blood clot in his right leg this week - possibly Thursday, depending on Dr. Michael Lee's diagnosis.

He will be able to participate in games four days after going off the medication.

Tracy's first action would be as a pinch-hitter or a DH, Melvin said, and he could be used in minor league games to get extended at-bats.

"I would think we would do something like that before we get him in the field," Melvin said.

The D-Backs continue to discuss a scenario in which Tracy opens the season on the active roster "even in a limited role" as the primary left-handed pinch-hitter, Melvin said.

SHORT HOPS

Miguel Montero will have a second CT scan on his fractured right index finger Thursday, Melvin said, after which he could be cleared to begin full baseball activity. ...

Right-hander Esmerling Vazquez, the D-Backs' minor league pitcher of the year when he went 10-6 with a 2.99 ERA for Southern League Mobile last season, was optioned to minor league camp. Vazquez suffered a right shoulder injury in the Arizona Fall League that is likely to keep him out until June.

D-Backs 10, Colorado 9

Notable pitching: Randy Johnson gave up four hits, including a three-run home run by Chris Ianetta, and got four outs while throwing 33 pitches in his first appearance since June 28. Juan Cruz had his third hitless, scoreless inning of the spring. Tony Peña gave up a two-run homer, the first runs he has allowed.

Notable hitting: Trot Nixon continued to punish Josh Towers, doubling in a run in the D-Backs' four-run first. Nixon, who had two hits Monday, is 12-for-28 against Towers in the regular season. ... Chris Burke was 2-for-5 with his second spring homer, and has seven RBIs. ... Stephen Drew's first-inning home run was originally ruled to have stayed in play, but after manager Bob Melvin argued the umpires conferred and got the call right.

On deck

What: The D-Backs will face Kansas City starter Zack Greinke for the second time in five days when they play host to the Royals at TEP at 1:05 p.m. The D-Backs, who have lost four of their past six, will play three of their next four games in the Valley.

TV/Radio: None.

Pitchers: Diamondbacks

Dan Haren, Yusmeiro Petit, Dustin Nippert, Chad Qualls, Brandon Lyon. Kansas City

Zack Greinke, Brandon Duckworth, Joel Peralta, Ryan Braun

Records: D-Backs 6-7-1; Kansas City 6-6