Torey Lovullo, manager of the Diamondbacks, provided an upbeat update on Ketel Marte, Christian Walker, and Gabriel Moreno.

Before the Diamondbacks’ series-opening game against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday, manager Torey Lovullo gave an update on the status of second baseman Ketel Marte, first baseman Christian Walker, and catcher Gabriel Moreno. The three players are recovering from a high ankle sprain, a strained left oblique, and a strained adductor muscle respectively.

Marte and Walker both hit off the Trajekt machine on Thursday. The Trajekt machine is particularly noteworthy as it’s a high-velocity pitching machine that can mimic pitchers’ deliveries. Lovullo said “everybody said they felt good through the process”. Walker also hit a long home run in his live at-bats.

“All the intensity is starting to ramp up, and that’s by design because we want these players to really let their bodies go more to a natural space, a natural reaction and then we can grade it out there. So far so good.”

Here is the full quote, with video courtesy of PHNX Diamondbacks.

The next step in the recovery for Marte and Walker will include taking ground balls and doing flip drills. Both players are expected to return when the Diamondbacks travel to San Francisco to take on the Giants. Lovullo told Jack Sommers of Diamondbacks on SI that there will be a “return to play protocol” with Walker to ease him back in. Once he’s back to playing every day, Josh Bell will become the team’s primary DH against lefties.

Lovullo said that Moreno is not far behind. He didn’t take live at-bats, although the Diamondbacks manager could not confirm that in his pregame media session. Adrian Del Castillo has done a solid job in Moreno’s absence, hitting .347 with three home runs and a .990 OPS in his first 15 career games.