Diamondbacks Opening Day roster is almost set
As the team heads back to Chase Field for the final two exhibition games, the Opening Day roster is coming into shape. The starting rotation has been set, while the starting position players have - touch wood! - made it through spring training without significant problems. There are still a couple of spots remaining to be decided, but there are strong indications as to who will be getting those positions. So I feel moderately confident in posting what I think will be announced as the Opening Day roster in a couple of rotationZac GallenMerrill KellyEduardo RodriguezBrandon PfaadtCorbin BurnesThe major surprise here is Burnes not pitching during the opening series against the Cubs. Hell instead make his first start a week today against the Yankees. Manager Torey Lovullo said this was the result of a scheduling mix-up, not realizing how strongly the teams new ace felt about keeping to a strict routine. However, some feel Lovullo is playing four-D chess, and wanted to have the rotation roll out this way. It would be nice if that were the case, but its probably not going to matter much. Itll be interesting to see if the rotation is massaged so that Burnes pitches the last game before the All-Star break, on Sunday, so he can then start the first game after it, on the Friday with regular rest. Stay tuned.BullpenJustin MartinezA.J. PukRyan ThompsonKevin GinkelJoe MantiplyShelby MillerJordan MontgomeryRyne NelsonThe team wont be short of long relief Mark Grace Jersey, with starters Nelson and Montgomery in there. Will one or other be kept stretched out for use as a potential starter if needed? Given the money being paid to Jordan, hed seem the likely candidate, but the decision to put him in the bullpen at all suggests the team views this as a sunk cost. With the addition of Garrett Hampson to the roster, Miller is now the only non-roster invitee left in camp. Its between him, Kendall Graveman and Bryce Jarvis for the final spot. Graveman hasnt been seen in action this spring due to a back issue, and were already well stocked in long relief. So it looks like the Miller redemption story-line will be renewed for another series!Starting position playersC. Gabriel Moreno1B. Josh Naylor2B. Ketel MarteSS. Geraldo Perdomo3B. Eugenio SuarezLF. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. CF. Jake McCarthyRF. Corbin CarrollDH. Pavin SmithNo surprises here. It would have taken injury or a spectacularly bad spring for any of the above not to break camp, and we avoided both. A couple of minor health scares Taylor Rashi Jersey, like Carrolls back tightness and Smiths wrist, appear to have been exactly that - minor. And everyone above had an OPS of at least.700 in spring. McCarthy was the lowest. a.269/.309/.404 slash for an OPS of.713. Overall, the D-backs have averaged 5.8 runs per pre-season game, so the offense which led the majors in runs last year, seems to be firing on all cylinders again so far. Smith appears here because, as a left-handed hitter, he figures to get most of the playing time at designated HerreraRandal GrichukGarrett HampsonAlek ThomasThere are fifteen position players left in camp, but of those, Blaze Alexander can be immediately crossed off. He suffered an oblique injury, and only resumed baseball activities a couple of days ago. He figures to start the season on the IL. That only leaves the back-up catchers spot to be decided, between Herrera and Rene Pinto. The former definitely appears the favorite. He already has a relationship with most of Arizonas pitchers, had a better spring at the plate , and saw more playing time. Itll be the third year he has broken camp as Arizonas backup catcher , which is not something you see often. Pinto is out of minor-league options, so would need to be DFAd, but that would also open up the spot necessary for Shelby Miller to be added to the 40-man roster. There is a slight chance the team might opt to retain three catchers Juan Burgos Jersey, and option Thomas down to Reno. Hampson has actually played more in center field at the major-league level than at any other position, so he could pull duty as a backup there. I mention this largely because Thomas has had a wretched spring, batting.159 with a.529 OPS. Among those with 20+ AB this preseason, its the worst on the D-backs by.177 points. But carrying three catchers has not been a typical Lovullo tactic, so I think Thomas will still get a spot.
