Arizona Diamondbacks make six roster moves

Optioned to Triple-A Reno:

• OF Jeremy Hazelbaker
• RHP Jimmie Sherfy
• 1B Christian Walker

Reassigned to Minor League camp:

• RHP Neftalí Feliz
• C Anthony Recker

Released:

• LHP Antonio Bastardo

The three sent to Reno all saw playing time with the D-backs in 2017. Hazelbaker appeared in 41 games and Walker 11; Sherfy had a 0.00 ERA over his 11 appearances and 10.2 innings. However, Sherfy has been slowed this spring by a shoulder issue, and only made his Cactus debut yesterday, allowing two hits including a home-run. Hazelbaker and Walker had both been very active, appearing in 20 games apiece - only Kris Negron (22) had more. Hazelbaker hit only .133, but led the team in walks (9), for a weird slash line of .133/.395/.367. Walker had himself a very good pre-season, batting .302 with a .992 OPS, and tying for the team lead with three home-runs. But there really wasn’t a spot available for him.

Feliz’s card was likely marked after a real horror-show outing yesterday afternoon, where he was charged with five earned runs, and did not retire a batter. Recker had barely been seen, appearing in only two games and getting exactly one at-bat. But Bastardo’s departure is a little bit of a surprise, as the left-hander had put together a decent spring, striking out nine over 5.2 innings, with a 3.38 ERA. With a number of the other southpaw pitchers not doing very well, he seemed to have a shot. It’s possible there may have been a contract clause requiring him to be added to the roster by a specific date.

These moves reduce the players remaining in camp for Arizona to 35, so we are down to the ten last cuts.