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2017 Arizona Diamondbacks Opening Day roster all but set

The past few days have answered a lot of questions about who’s in and who’s not.

By Jim McLennan
Traci Bingham and Bai Ling Photo by Carlo Allegri/Getty Images

We’ve seen a flurry of cuts, and also received some answers to questions about roles that had been looking for answers. While absolutely nothing is set in stone, and there is still time for health to intervene - either players coming down with injuries, or those currently hurt proving themselves fit again - this is where we stand as we head into the final week of spring training.

Starting pitching

  1. Zack Grienke
  2. Taijuan Walker
  3. Robbie Ray
  4. Shelby Miller
  5. Patrick Corbin

These five are now officially confirmed as the Opening Day rotation. The order has yet to be confirmed, but the above looks most likely, based on the way we’ve seen them line up in Cactus League play.

Bullpen

  • Archie Bradley
  • Andrew Chafin
  • Jorge De La Rosa
  • Randall Delgado
  • J.J. Hoover
  • Fernando Rodney
  • Tom Wilhelmsen

The above is the result of a process of elimination. With the optioning of Zack Godley to Reno earlier today, there are only four healthy relievers on the 40-man roster: Bradley, Chafin, Delgado and Rodney. Jake Barrett, Silvino Bracho, Rubby De La Rosa and Steve Hathaway are all injured, and appear likely to start the season on the DL - Bracho might be the one with the best shot at possibly recovering in time. There are just four non-roster invitees left as well: J. De La Rosa, Hoover, Wilhemsen, plus T.J. McFarland, who has allowed eight hits over three innings, without a strikeout. So: no. Ergo: there’s your bullpen. [Update: Bracho is pitching today in Tempe, so it does appear he is on the mend. If he is deemed fit, then that would probably displace one of the non-roster guys, though which one is anyone’s guess.]

Starting eight

  1. A.J. Pollock, CF
  2. David Peralta, RF
  3. Paul Goldschmidt, 1B
  4. Jake Lamb, 3B
  5. LF
  6. Chris Owings, SS
  7. Brandon Drury, 2B
  8. Chris Iannetta, C

The health of Yasmany Tomas appears the major question left to be decided. He was supposed to have had a key day yesterday, in terms of deciding whether he’d be ready for Opening Day. Reading between the line, the lack of any significant news so far is perhaps not a good thing, but we’ll see. If it’s not him, then I suspect it will be Gregor Blanco who gets the everyday job in left, with Owings and Drury moving up the order. Catching, of course, will be split between Iannetta and Mathis, so flip a coin there.

Bench

  • Nick Ahmed, IF
  • Daniel Descalso, IF
  • Chris Herrmann, UT
  • Jeff Mathis, C
  • OF

There’s a knock-on effect from the question-mark over Tomas. If he’s healthy, the bench spot is probably Blanco’s. If he’s not, Blanco moves up and Jeremy Hazelbaker may be the most likely recipient of the bench position.

40-man roster consideration

This is going to be interesting, since the above would require three bullpen arms plus Blanco to be added to the 40-man roster. There’s one spot free, with the return of Rule 5 pick Tyler Jones to the Yankees. We could move Brito to the 60-day DL and open up one more that way. If Hazelbaker doesn’t make the roster, he might be in trouble, since his spring numbers have been terrible (.429 OPS, 13 K in 48 PA). We may also see a thinning of the relief here, with the likes of Hathaway or Evan Marshall potenially losing their spots.

Again, I should stress: much of the above is entirely unofficial, and is still subject to change between now and Opening Day a week tomorrow. But right now, it’s my best guess.

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