The Arizona Diamondbacks are gearing up for the season with a rotation that features Zac Gallen, Ryne Nelson, Eduardo Rodriguez, Mike Soroka, and Brandon Pfaadt. While Gallen is set to lead the charge, manager Torey Lovullo is keeping the rest of the rotation order under wraps for now, wanting to have a few more chats with his pitchers before making it official.
On the position-player front, the Diamondbacks seem to have their lineup mostly locked in. Corbin Carroll, Alek Thomas, Jordan Lawlar, Nolan Arenado, Geraldo Perdomo, Ketel Marte, Carlos Santana, Pavin Smith, Gabriel Moreno, and James McCann are all set to take the field. However, the bench still has a few spots up for grabs.
Four players are vying for those three bench spots: Tim Tawa, Ildemaro Vargas, Jacob Amaya, and Jorge Barrosa. Barrosa, who is out of Minor League options, looks like a strong contender to make the cut. Meanwhile, Vargas and Amaya would require some roster maneuvering as they are non-roster invitees.
The bullpen situation remains a bit more complex, even with the season just around the corner. Veterans Paul Sewald, Kevin Ginkel, Ryan Thompson, and Taylor Clarke are expected to secure spots.
Jonathan Loáisiga, a non-roster invitee who impressed during spring training, is also likely to join them. This leaves three spots up for grabs, with left-handers Brandy Garcia and Philip Abner and right-handers Andrew Hoffmann, Joe Ross, and Juan Morillo all in contention.
There's also a possibility that the Diamondbacks might bring in a new reliever, particularly a lefty, before camp ends. This time of year often sees players placed on waivers or opting out of Minor League deals, providing potential opportunities for roster additions.
Lovullo aims to finalize these decisions and inform the players before the team heads to Chase Field on Monday for their exhibition games against the Guardians.
As for pitcher Strowd, acquired from the Orioles in exchange for third baseman Blaze Alexander, consistency remains the key focus. Lovullo emphasized the importance of Strowd finding his rhythm and maintaining consistency on the mound, which is crucial for a Major League pitcher. Strowd is working on locating the zone and delivering pitches with precision, and while it’s been a bit of a challenge, the team believes he’ll find his way back.