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Diamondback Digest
Early Thoughts on New Diamondbacks
There seems to be no shortage of opinions about the Diamondbacks' Yasmany Tomás and Peter O'Brien and Oscar Hernandez was lifted from a game for precautionary reasons.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Early verdict from scouts: Yasmany Tomas-at-3B experiment ain't working. Result: OF glut of Tomas, Pollock, Trumbo, Ross, Peralta, Inciarte.</p>— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) <a href="https://twitter.com/JeffPassan/status/575406827866710016">March 10, 2015</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Scouts not worried about Tomas' arm, even though he has skipped throws. More a lack of lateral quickness, other athletic-type plays at 3B.</p>— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) <a href="https://twitter.com/JeffPassan/status/575407256902049792">March 10, 2015</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Dbacks?src=hash">#Dbacks</a> mgr Chip Hale on Tomas defensively at 3B: "I think he needs to be better than what we've seen. Mostly just the focus."</p>— Steve Gilbert (@SteveGilbertMLB) <a href="https://twitter.com/SteveGilbertMLB/status/575404872230551552">March 10, 2015</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>More <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Dbacks?src=hash">#Dbacks</a> Hale on Tomas: "I think the plays he's not making is because maybe he loses focus."</p>— Steve Gilbert (@SteveGilbertMLB) <a href="https://twitter.com/SteveGilbertMLB/status/575405264439922689">March 10, 2015</a></blockquote>
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Tomás Experiencing Ups and Downs at Third
Over, are the days filled with training drills for Tomás. The Diamondbacks' Cuban slugger is now getting a long look at in-game action as Spring Training games are now underway. The results so far, while improving, are still something of a mixed bag.
Eno Sarris of Fangraphs has some video of Yoan Lopez to share.
Evans, Pagnozzi Feeling at Home
Cronkite News correspondent Stephen Delorenzo spends some time with the Diamondbacks
Hale Looking Forward to a Healthy Hudson
Chip Hale likes what he sees in Daniel Hudson. Despite two Tommy John surgeries, the manager seems hopeful that the hard throwing right-hander will be able to return to the rotation.
Oakland 6, Arizona 5 - Third Base Competition Remains Fierce
Trevor Cahill had an up and down performance, but still limited the damage to only one run allowed in two innings of work. Meanwhile, both prospective Diamondbacks third basemen continued to make their cases to make the Opening Day roster. Yasmany Tomás belted a homer and managed to play a clean defensive game. Pushing Tomás to be all he can be at the hot corner was Jake Lamb, who merely belted two homers of his own, trying to prove his bat does play as well as his glove.
Around MLB
10 Intriguing Position Battles
One of the exciting things about Spring Training is watching teammates push each other to win roles as everyday starters. Here are 10 battles to watch.
It may only be Spring Training, but new Padres new GM, A.J. Preller has to like the earl returns on his attempts to improve the team's league-worst offense, as Kemp, Upton, Middlebrooks, and Myers have all shown off their power this spring.
Lee's Injury is not Scaring Amaro
Cliff Lee is sidelined with what is very likely a career-ending injury. This doesn't change how Phillies GM Ruben Amaro, Jr. is going to approach any potential trade of the team's remaining ace pitcher, Cole Hamels.
The Indians right-hander added his name to the list of key pitching talent to be lost before the season even starts, joining Cliff Lee and Yu Darvish as a surgery candidate. The "good" news, if there is an, is that the possible surgery is not Tommy John surgery, which the hurler has already had once.