Exhibition Gameday Thread #1: 4/1, Diamondbacks vs. Royals

1. Jean Segura, 2B
2. A.J. Pollock, CF
3. Paul Goldschmidt, 1B
4. David Peralta, RF
5. Welington Castillo, C
6. Jake Lamb, 3B
7. Yasmany Tomas, LF
8. Rickie Weeks Jr, DH
9. Nick Ahmed, SS
   + P Rubby De La Rosa

Hooray! Pollock is back in the line-up this evening, after more than three weeks missing from games in front of a paid audience,. This appears to mean there is no need for a disabled list stay for A.J. but I am still a bit worried about how he will do, after so long spent facing minor-leaguers... admittedly, also Zack Greinke! Good to have him back though. Couple of interesting nuggets from Chip Hale's press conference earlier this afternoon. It looks like Josh Collmenter will indeed start the season on the disabled list, which means two bullpen spots to be decided - but it seems the team will not finalize the roster until after tomorrow afternoon's contest.

But what a difference a couple of months makes...

#DBacks Dave Stewart: "Don't want to be disrespectful to Nick Ahmed. Jean is going to come in & get most of his reps at SS not 2B"

— MLB Network Radio (@MLBNetworkRadio) January 31, 2016

#Dbacks Hale says Segura will play more at 2nd than SS.

— Steve Gilbert (@SteveGilbertMLB) April 1, 2016

What? Dave Stewart LIED to us? I am shocked, shocked by this revelation... But this makes eminent sense to me, and has since the trade which brought Segura here. Shortstop was not (really) the problem last year - that was much more second-base. Lamb will also play third, but Owings could see some starts there. Going by last season. that will be whenever there is a left-handed starter going for the opposition.

And here we are, back in the temple where we will spend an awful lot o the next six months - and, hopefully, even longer! Tonight's game  is on Fox Sports Arizona PLUS for television, and on ESPN Phoenix 620 for those radio listeners. Which will include myself on the way home tonight!