Preview, #51: 5/24 @ Giants

In case you missed the earlier word, three roster moves were made this afternoon by the Diamondbacks [Jimmie Sherfy having been optioned to Reno following the end of the game against San Diego on Wednesday] As expected, and much discussed here earlier in the day, infielder Kevin Cron is set to make his major-league debut. But he had company on the bus from Reno to San Francisco, with outfielder Tim Locastro also (re)joining the team. That move became necessary, because David Peralta has been placed on the IL with right AC joint inflammation. That’s going to hurt the already struggling offense, since the Freight Train’s 128 OPS+ trailed only Eduardo Escobar (130) among those with 40+ PA for Arizona.

According to GM Mike Hazen (via Steve Gilbert), Cron won’t take over for Christian Walker at first immediately: “Occasional start and pinch-hitter is the plan at this point.” Hazen would not be drawn on what roster move would be made tomorrow, with regard to making room for starting pitcher Taylor Clarke. He wouldn’t even say whether the player to be dropped would be a position player or a pitcher. Right now, there are eight in the bullpen, and with the three catchers constricting the available bench spots, I’d imagine a pitcher. Yoan Lopez or, perhaps, Matt Andriese (who has an option left) would seem the most likely, continuing the roster churn.

When Cron gets into a game, he’ll become the fourth player to make their major-league debut for the Diamondbacks this year, after Merrill Kelly, Jon Duplantier and Clarke. The last-named was the only one to get a hit in his first game; the last D-back before him to manage that was Mitch Haniger in August 2016. And if you’re wondering, to find the last Arizona batter who hit a home-run in their debut, you need to go back to catcher John Hester, on August 28, 2009. The other players to accomplish that feat were Trent Oeltjen, Gerardo Parra, Carlos Quentin, Alex Cabrera and Travis Lee. Be nice if Mr. Cron was to become #7 on that list, whether tonight or later this weekend.