Arizona Diamondbacks reassign Arcia, Davis, Matusz and Thole to Minor League camp; return Jones

The Arizona Diamondbacks made 4 roster moves and have 40 players left in camp.

Reassigned to Minor League camp:

OF Oswaldo Arcia

RHP Erik Davis

LHP Brian Matusz

C Josh Thole

Arcia is probably the only one that counts as much of a surprise, since he was leading the team in spring home-runs. That likely brings the battle for any spare outfield spots to between Gregor Blanco and Jeremy Hazelbaker: as we noted earlier this morning, the latter has had a terrible spring, but has the advantage of already being on the 40-man roster. Jason Pridie is still hanging around, but feels like an outsider. [He was reassigned earlier this week]

Neither of the two pitchers have done very much this spring to merit consideration, despite good peripheral numbers. Davis has posted a decent 2.57 ERA and a 7:1 K:BB, but it feels like that was mostly achieved at the end of games, against B-hitters. Matusz has faced better opposition, and has been found wanting, with 10 hits over 6.1 innings and a 5.68 ERA, though his K:BB is also very solid at 9:1.

Thole, meanwhile, has seen almost no action. He tore a hamstring running the bases on March 15, which is about the worst possible injury for a catcher. He may well be lost for the entire season.

Update

Rule 5 pick Tyler Jones has also been returned to the Yankees.

That also opens a slot on the 40-man roster. Jones hadn’t been bad this spring - 8 K’s, no walks over 6.2 innings - but I think the team likely valued flexibility with the roster spot over what he might bring to the bullpen.