Arizona Diamondbacks 8, Colorado Rockies 3: A farewell to Herrmann

Record: 14-15-2. Change on 2017: -1.

After this morning’s announcement that Yasmany Tomas had been sent to the Reno Aces, there was an even bigger surprise this afternoon. Chris Herrmann has been designated for assignment. Herrmann appeared in 106 games for the Diamondbacks last year, and was generally expected to be the third catcher once again this season. However, Nick Piecoro Tweeted recently that the team seemed to be leaning towards John Ryan Murphy, and were listing to trade offers for Herrmann (I believe both players were out of minor-league options). Piecoro appears to have been correct, and Murphy seems to have got the nod: we’ll see what happens with regard to Herrmann.

It was also announced Jorge De La Rosa has had his contract selected by the team, so will apparently join Andrew Chafin as left-handers in the Diamondbacks bullpen. This move won’t be a cheap one: by making the roster, De La Rosa has guaranteed himself $2.25m. Along with Fernando Salas’s $1.5m, these recent roster moves have bumped up Arizona’s 2018 payroll another notch, even before either pitcher earns any of the performance bonuses which were part of both their contracts. This moves makes it likely there’s only one spot left to be decided in the bullpen, with Chafin, Archie Bradley, Brad Boxberger and Yoshihisa Hirano apparently locks. T.J. McFarland would be favorite for it.

Finally in off-field action, please sit down and read the next sentence very carefully before going further.

He’s fine.

Okay? Now, here’s Paul Goldschmidt getting hit in the head by a pitch during a minor-league game on the backfields this afternoon. I don’t know who was on the mound, but I presume whoever it was has now entered the witness protection program, and has been given a new identity.

As for this afternoon’s game? Taylor Clarke looked really good, holding quite a strong Rockies’ line-up to two hits and one walk over five shutout innings. That’s very promising, from a man who could end up being part of our starter pitching depth over the coming months. This was followed by hitless innings from Gabe Speier, Yoan Lopez and Josh Taylor. Colin Poche did get tagged for three runs in the ninth, costing Arizona what had been a two-hit shutout to that point, but with the Diamondbacks possessing an eight-run lead, it didn’t matter too much.

On offense, Nick Ahmed had a two-run homer in the first (his second of spring), while Daniel Descalso added a solo shot (shown below) in the seventh, his first HR. Chris Owings, batting lead-off and playing right-field, had three hits, raising his spring average to .256, and also stole a pair of bases. Ahmed had three hits, and there were also stolen bases for Ketel Marte and Anfernee Grier, though A.J. Pollock was caught stealing. Jake Lamb had two hits and a walk, while Pollock and Descalso had two-hit games. Kris Negron drew a pair of walks.

Tomorrow, it’s back to Chase Field for the team, with the first of two exhibition games there against the Cleveland Indians. Zack Greinke is currently the scheduled starter there, so that’s definitely something on which we should keep an eye.