The Diamondbacks are holding back right-hander Michael Soroka and left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez from the trip to Mexico City, manager Torey Lovullo said.
Neither is scheduled to pitch in the two-game series — right-handers Zac Gallen and Ryne Nelson will start on Saturday, April 25, and Sunday, April 26, respectively — and the club wants to minimize the impact of the high elevation on their bodies, something Lovullo said the team has done in the past on trips to Colorado.
Mexico City sits at an elevation of 7,350 feet above sea level.
“It’s proven that altitude impacts your body,” Lovullo said. “There’s a little extra wear and tear on it. You might see me shorten some outings. I usually do it by seven to 10 pitches when we go up to Colorado. To keep them out of that environment, we felt like it would help their body prepare for their next set of starts in Milwaukee.”
Right-hander Merrill Kelly will, however, accompany the team to Mexico City.
“The reason why we’re bringing Merrill is it will be his fifth day on Sunday,” Lovullo said. “If something were to absolutely blow up, we could keep him fluid and dump him into a game.”
Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll against the Chicago White Sox in the first inning at Chase Field in Phoenix, on April 21, 2026.Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll reacts after striking out against the Chicago White Sox in the first inning at Chase Field in Phoenix, on April 21, 2026.Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll reacts after striking out against the Chicago White Sox in the first inning at Chase Field in Phoenix, on April 21, 2026.Arizona Diamondbacks base runner Ketel Marte dives into second on a wild pitch against the Chicago White Sox in the first inning at Chase Field in Phoenix, on April 21, 2026.Arizona Diamondbacks base runner Ketel Marte dives into second on a wild pitch ahead of the tag by Chicago White Sox infielder Colson Montgomery in the first inning at Chase Field in Phoenix, on April 21, 2026.Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Alek Thomas rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run in the fifth inning against the Chicago White Sox at Chase Field in Phoenix, on April 21, 2026.Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Alek Thomas (right) celebrates with third base coach J.R. House as he rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run in the fifth inning against the Chicago White Sox at Chase Field in Phoenix, on April 21, 2026.Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Alek Thomas celebrates after hitting a solo home run in the fifth inning against the Chicago White Sox at Chase Field in Phoenix, on April 21, 2026.1 / 8Arizona Diamondbacks views during series against Chicago White SoxArizona Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll against the Chicago White Sox in the first inning at Chase Field in Phoenix, on April 21, 2026.1 / 8Arizona Diamondbacks views during series against Chicago White SoxArizona Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll against the Chicago White Sox in the first inning at Chase Field in Phoenix, on April 21, 2026.2 / 8Arizona Diamondbacks views during series against Chicago White SoxArizona Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll reacts after striking out against the Chicago White Sox in the first inning at Chase Field in Phoenix, on April 21, 2026.3 / 8Arizona Diamondbacks views during series against Chicago White SoxArizona Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll reacts after striking out against the Chicago White Sox in the first inning at Chase Field in Phoenix, on April 21, 2026.4 / 8Arizona Diamondbacks views during series against Chicago White SoxArizona Diamondbacks base runner Ketel Marte dives into second on a wild pitch against the Chicago White Sox in the first inning at Chase Field in Phoenix, on April 21, 2026.5 / 8Arizona Diamondbacks views during series against Chicago White SoxArizona Diamondbacks base runner Ketel Marte dives into second on a wild pitch ahead of the tag by Chicago White Sox infielder Colson Montgomery in the first inning at Chase Field in Phoenix, on April 21, 2026.6 / 8Arizona Diamondbacks views during series against Chicago White SoxArizona Diamondbacks outfielder Alek Thomas rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run in the fifth inning against the Chicago White Sox at Chase Field in Phoenix, on April 21, 2026.7 / 8Arizona Diamondbacks views during series against Chicago White SoxArizona Diamondbacks outfielder Alek Thomas (right) celebrates with third base coach J.R. House as he rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run in the fifth inning against the Chicago White Sox at Chase Field in Phoenix, on April 21, 2026.8 / 8Arizona Diamondbacks views during series against Chicago White SoxArizona Diamondbacks outfielder Alek Thomas celebrates after hitting a solo home run in the fifth inning against the Chicago White Sox at Chase Field in Phoenix, on April 21, 2026.Lovullo shuffles top of lineupAfter having Ketel Marte in the leadoff spot to open the season, Lovullo juggled the top of his lineup for the Diamondbacks’ finale against the Chicago White Sox by moving Geraldo Perdomo to the top of the lineup and dropping Marte to second.
“I just felt like Corbin third, with the slug, with two guys potentially getting on base, give Gerry (Perdomo) a chance to dig into that starting pitcher a little bit with the pitch count, have him work hard to get him out would set him up for Ketel,” Lovullo said. “That’s traditionally what we’ve done in the past, and I switched it because this was something where I wanted to take a look at it.”
Marte batted leadoff in each of the 22 games he started this season prior to Thursday, April 23. His results have not been great, but he has ranked among the unluckiest hitters in the majors this season based on batted-ball data.
At Chase Field: Soroka will be looking to continue what has been a terrific start to his season. Through four starts, he has logged 22 2/3 innings with six walks and 28 strikeouts. … He went seven innings and gave up two runs against the Blue Jays in his most recent start. … He is relying mostly on his fastball/curveball combo, but his change-up has been a big swing-and-miss pitch against lefties, getting whiffs at a 31.8 percent clip. … Martin, 29, has pitched parts of four seasons in the majors with the White Sox, logging a 4.13 ERA in 281 innings. … He has made four starts this season, going at least five innings every time and allowing no more than three runs in any of them. … He averages 93.4 mph with his fastball. He also throws five other pitch types, each of which is used at least roughly 10 percent of the time: change-up, cutter, sinker, slider and curveball.
Saturday, April 25: At Mexico City, 3:05 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Zac Gallen (1-1, 3.51) vs. Padres RHP German Marquez (2-1, 3.86).
Sunday, April 26: At Mexico City, 1:05 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Ryne Nelson (1-2, 6.97) vs. Padres RHP Michael King (3-1, 2.28).
Tuesday, April 28: At Milwaukee, 4:40 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Merrill Kelly (1-1, 9.31) vs. Brewers TBA.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Diamondbacks-White Sox live updates.