D-Backs notebook: Davis sticks to routine for last start

Doug Davis is looking forward to his start tonight against the Dodgers, but that’s not anything out of the ordinary.

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He’s always ready for the ball, especially after struggling like he did in Cincinnati (Davis walked six and allowed two earned runs in 3 2/3 innings) five days ago.

“It feels like a long time since I’ve been out there,” Davis said.

But Davis’ next few weeks will be anything but ordinary. It will be his last start before undergoing surgery on Thursday for thyroid cancer.

He is expected to miss four to six weeks of action. Davis could have had the surgery earlier but decided he wanted to make his first two starts.

He said it’s been business as usual after learning of the cancer.

“I go about it the same way, do the same research and hopefully just execute,” he said.

There is an open dialogue about his situation in the clubhouse.

“Everyone in here knows what’s going on,” Davis said. “If they have any questions, they feel free to come up and ask me. I have no problem talking about it. They are all treating me the same.”

KEEPING THE FAITH

Diamondbacks manager Bob Melvin reiterated his support for closer Brandon Lyon.

Lyon earned a save in the team’s season opener on March 31 in Cincinnati, but has blown both chances since.

He was chosen to close games after Jose Valverde was traded to the Astros in the offseason. Tony Pena and Chad Qualls were also being considered.

“There are some other closers that have gotten off to some rough starts,” Melvin said. “He understands the situation. We have confidence in him.”

Neither Qualls nor Pena has given up an earned run this year. In fact, Lyon is the only member of the bullpen to be scored upon thus far.

Unlike the eccentric Valverde, Lyon rarely shows his emotions on the field, although he said he cares just as much as anyone else.

“It definitely eats me up inside, maybe even more than the next guy,” Lyon said. “But I try to stay even keel out there. You look at other guys, and I’m not trying to compare myself to them, but when you look at Trevor Hoffman when he’s out there, he’s stoic and calm. Same with Mariano Rivera.”

AN ADDED LEFTY

The Diamondbacks acquired left-handed reliever Jon Coutlangus from the Reds on Monday for Class A outfielder Daniel Perales.

Coutlangus went 4-2 with a 4.39 ERA in 64 games for the Reds in relief last season but did not make the opening day roster.

He was immediately optioned to Triple-A Tucson.

Doug Slaten is the only left-handed reliever in the bullpen and there was little depth at that spot in the organization.

Perales hit .282 with 92 RBIs at Class A South Bend last season and started this year on the disabled list. He was a 22nd-round selection by Arizona in 2006.

ONE MORE FOR UNIT

Randy Johnson will throw approximately six innings and 90 pitches in his second rehabilitation stint at Tucson today, and if everything goes as planned, he will make his first start with the D-Backs on April 14.

He would fill the void left by Davis.

Johnson gave up eight hits and five runs in four innings of work in his first start for the Sidewinders on April 3.

SHORT HOP

Backup catcher Miguel Montero went 2-for-5 with a homer in an extended spring training game on Monday, although he did not catch. Melvin is still targeting May 1 as a return date for Montero.