D-Backs notebook: Mexico back on spring itinerary

With veteran baseball man Roland Hemond back as a special assistant to Diamondbacks president Derrick Hall, the team plans to expand its international presence and resume its spring visits to Hermosillo, Mexico.

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The D-Backs want to schedule an exhibition game in Hermosillo next spring, a staple in their early years.

Hemond, an executive vice president with the D-Backs from their inception in 1996-2000, will work with Hall in a variety of capacities.

“He’ll be the face of our international operations,” Hall said.

Hemond was one of the first major league executives to understand the importance of signing players from Mexico, adding Jorge Orta for the White Sox and Aurelio Rodriguez for the Angels.

Hemond is a three-time winner of the executive-of-the-year award as a GM with the White Sox and Orioles.

ON-THE-JOB TRAINING

While Justin Upton’s bat has translated well, his rightfield defense remains a work in progress with three errors in his first six games.

The D-Backs are willing to cut Upton some slack, since he played just a half-dozen minor league games in right before taking over that job with the D-Backs.

A high school shortstop, Upton was moved to center field last spring and spent most of this year in center before making a few starts in right.

“Shortstop, center field and now right field at the big league level,” said manager Bob Melvin, who added Upton has remained calm and upbeat.

“Right field is completely different from center field. You have 10-year veterans who would go through growing pains. His athletic ability will help him handle it.”

Upton: “Right field is definitely a change, but everyone is helping me with the process,” citing outfield coach Lee Tinsley.

KENNEDY ADDS DEPTH

Left-hander Joe Kennedy has given up only an unearned run in two relief appearances, his role here.

“My preference is definitely starting. They know that, but I’m not going to come in and cause any ripples,” he said. “I like to call myself a utility pitcher.”

Kennedy was 3-9 with a 4.37 ERA with Oakland before being claimed off waivers last week, making 16 starts before being taken out of the A’s rotation as he neared performance bonuses.

Kennedy will get $100,000 if he makes 20 starts and another $100,000 if he makes 25 starts. He gets a $50,000 bump for 27 starts and another $50,000 for 30.

Asked if he thought the A’s decision to remove him from the rotation had something to do with that, he simply said, “Do the math.”

STAYING IN ROTATION

Byung-Hyun Kim will face his former team, Florida, on Tuesday, Melvin said, as the D-Backs plan to give every starter an extra day of rest next week because of Monday’s off day.

Brandon Webb and Doug Davis have averaged seven innings a start in their past five turns.

Kim gave up four earned runs in 2 1/3 innings, and Melvin said Kim “needs to” get better. “We expect him to.”

SHORT HOP

Doug Slaten wears a pink backpack when walking to the D-Backs’ bullpen these days. The backpack contains candy and snacks for the bullpen, and as the player with the least amount of major league service time Slaten is in charge of transportation. A backpack was chosen after the original carrying case, a tool box, was misplaced.