Snake Bytes, 3/16: Your Daily Groinke

Team news

[Arizona Sports] D-backs uncertain about Zack Greinke's status for Opening Day - “Obviously when you’re talking about potentially pushing him back and not having him ready for Opening Day, my concern level goes up,” Lovullo said. “But I know that we’ll have guys that we’re walking through and mapping out if it doesn’t happen. We have other guys that can step in there and that’s what this is all about. I know it’s going to be a situation that’s going to be a very positive outcome with the medical team we have, with the input he’s given us. I feel very strongly that he’ll be in there quick as he possibly can.”

[dbacks.com] D-backs remaining cautious with Zack Greinke - "If we push back the bullpen it's going to push back the start, which obviously at that point could change his status for Opening Day," Lovullo confirmed. "If it's a slim catch-up type of situation, I don't think we'd allow it to happen. My mindset is to not have him play catch-up one day during the season. I want to make sure that he's strong from Day 1 to the end of the season." Lovullo called it a "gray area" at present, as the club determines the impact of Greinke getting the work he needs before a regular-season start. The manager was adamant that it didn't make sense to adapt the schedule in any way that risks the integrity of Greinke's spring preparation plan.

[AZ Central] Peralta feeling stronger, ready for season - Sitting at his locker on Thursday morning, David Peralta turned his right palm upward and clenched his fist. The difference, he says, is tangible. And it’s the reason he can envision this year being far more productive for him than last. “I know what I can do,” Peralta said. “And I can be better.” In his mind, it all comes down to the strength in his right wrist. More than a year and a half ago, Peralta underwent surgery that involved moving a tendon back into place. “After my surgery, it was tough for me to get ready for the season,” Peralta said. “I couldn’t work out and I started swinging late. I’m not making any excuses. That’s just the way it is. It’s a process.”

[LaVidaBaseball] How Marte, Vargas and Tomás overcame difficulties to make The Show - Ildemaro Vargas is a cheerful guy and the center of much attention in the Diamondbacks clubhouse. His teammates love chatting with him because of his energy and positivity. But his baseball dream almost didn’t happen. Vargas, who joined his first professional league in his native Venezuela at age 16, spoke of the time he saw his aspirations of becoming a major leaguer fading. “When the St. Louis Cardinals, my original organization, released me [in 2015], I thought it would be difficult to get there, but I did not give up, and I went to try my luck in an independent league. That’s why I thank the Arizona Diamondbacks so much, for giving me the opportunity.”

[The Athletic] Ketel Marte is ready to make some noise for the Diamondbacks - The game of baseball was a source of healing this offseason, meaning more than a .274/.360/.356 slash line for Gigantes ever could. He was able to gather himself and refocus on the sport. The loss of his mother, less than a month into his time with the Diamondbacks, is still difficult for Marte to speak of. “It’s never bad to go home,” Marte said. “I just needed to keep my mind focused. It’s still difficult to talk about it. I just tried to stay strong and keep her in mind while I help the team. My family is missing a very important person now. My mindset is, as long as I take care of what I can, everything is going to be OK.” [A piece written by former SnakePitter Fabian Ardaya!]

[dbacks.com] D-backs' projected Opening Day roster - The D-backs made two key transactions early in Spring Training that quickly solidified the outlook of their 25-man roster. With two weeks to Opening Day, the biggest remaining questions are the makeup and roles of the bullpen and the potential wild card of Zack Greinke's Opening Day status. After opening camp, the D-backs signed free-agent outfielder Jarrod Dyson and a day later picked up outfielder Steven Souza Jr. in a three-team trade with the Yankees and Rays. What had been the D-backs' biggest concern is now a solid situation.

[AZ Central] Hirano progressing - In recent outings, Hirano has begun to resemble the late-inning option the Diamondbacks signed him to be. His results still have left something to be desired – he’s given up five runs in six innings – but he has looked increasingly effective in his past handful of spring training appearances. “I am feeling better and better with each outing, but there are areas I need to work on,” Hirano said through an interpreter on Thursday morning. “I’ve given up home runs the last couple of games and I need to work on my command a little more. At the same time, I’m learning how each hitter hits. It’s been a progression so far.”

[ABC15] Diamondbacks adding Portillo's, Dutch Bros to Chase Field menu this season - Founded in 1963, Portillo's is primarily located in the Chicago area but has multiple locations in the Valley. Its full-scale restaurants offer hot dogs, beef and sausage sandwiches, salads, ribs and pasta. Dutch Bros, which was founded in 1992 and is known for its drive-thru and walk-up service, offers coffee, smoothies and a number of other beverage options.

[dbacks.com] D-backs to honor late former GM Kevin Towers - The Arizona Diamondbacks will honor their late General Manager, Kevin Towers with a "KT" patch to be worn on the team's jersey on Aug. 2 when the D-backs celebrate the 2011 National League West Division Championship team. In addition, the D-backs will rename the suite in which Towers sat during his tenure as "Kevin's Tower" during a dedication ceremony on April 20 and will create the Kevin Towers Pro Scouting Award, given annually to a D-backs Professional Scout who exemplifies the characteristics displayed by Towers.

And, elsewhere...

[HardballTalk] Major League Baseball may have made a huge mistake - People are legitimately upset. A lot of people, not just the usual whiny subset. I’m basing this on the comments I’m seeing here on the blog, over at my public Facebook page, on social media, and questions I’m getting from casual fans who normally wouldn’t care. People feel like the man-on-second rule is a bridge too far. That it crosses some line that previous rules changes haven’t in that it fundamentally alters the way the game is played rather than changes the context in which it is played in minor ways.

[For The Win] 2018 MLB rankings: Colorado Rockies top craziest ballpark food list - It’s been a long wait, but baseball is back. And it wouldn’t be a baseball season without crazy ballpark foodsarriving at stadiums across MLB. Thankfully, 2018’s new menu items are among the strongest we’ve seen in years. Here at For The Win, we took a deep dive into baseball’s various menus and ranked the craziest new MLB foods for the 2018 season. These are the 10 that stood out. [I will NOT be trying number 1!]

Finally, for your dingering pleasure, the 25 longest home-runs of the decade so far.