SAN FRANCISCO – By designating John Ryan Murphy for assignment on Saturday, the Diamondbacks appear to be moving away from a three-catcher alignment, a decision made easier, manager Torey Lovullo said, by the progress of young catcher Carson Kelly.
Lovullo said called the decision a “very hard” one to make – Murphy was sent out to clear way for Saturday’s starter, right-hander Taylor Clarke – but he said the club felt the time was right to put more on Kelly’s plate.
“I think that’s a strong part of this equation,” Lovullo said. “More recently we’ve been more and more impressed with his ability to control the game from behind the plate, control the at-bats.