MARCH 6, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM
ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS 89-73 · 2024 3RD IN NL WEST
89-73 · 2024 3RD IN NL WEST
'It drives the women crazy': The Diamondbacks have Corbin Carroll, and he has The Shimmy Carroll's trademark pre-pitch shimmy has become so recognizable it's been featured in team videos and teammates have their own impressions.
Old-school Bumgarner likes pitch timer, new rules GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Madison Bumgarner was pleased to get his first Cactus League start of the spring out of the way Sunday as he got in three...
MARCH 6, 2023 • MLB.COM
Nick Ahmed - Could start Monday Ahmed (forearm) will most likely start at shortstop Monday, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.
Impact Monday would be Ahmed's debut after he missed the first week-and-a-half of Cactus League action with a forearm/wrist injury. He entered camp coming off shoulder surgery, but that was not considered a major issue prior to the latest injury.
MARCH 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Alek Thomas - Drives in three runs Thomas went 1-for-2 2 with a triple, a sacrifice fly and three RBI in Sunday's spring game against the Guardians.
Impact Thomas is raking through six Cactus League outings, going 6-for-19 with three extra-base hits and eight RBI. Thomas is racking up the plate appearances ahead of his participation in the World Baseball Classic. When he returns to MLB, Thomas will be Arizona's Opening Day starter in center field.
MARCH 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Madison Bumgarner gets taste of pitch clock, calls his own pitches in spring debut Diamondbacks left-hander Madison Bumgarner liked being able to call his own pitches in his Cactus League debut on Sunday.
MARCH 5, 2023 • AZCENTRAL.COM
Kyle Lewis - Hitless in debut Lewis started at designated hitter and went 0-for-3 with a strikeout in Sunday's spring game against Cleveland.
Impact Lewis made his spring debut after dealing with leg issues early in camp. It sounds like the Diamondbacks gave the 27-year-old outfielder, who is coming off a variety of knee injuries the last two seasons, extra preparation more than it was Lewis experiencing anything serious. He could remain a DH-only deployment in the short term before the 2020 AL Rookie of the Year gets a look in the field. Lewis gives the Diamondbacks a right-handed bench bat amid a lefty-dominant lineup.
MARCH 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Madison Bumgarner - Makes spring debut Bumgarner allowed two runs on two hits, two walks and two hit batsmen without a strikeout in Sunday's spring start against Cleveland.
Impact Bumgarner allowed a run in each of his first two innings and saw runners reach base in all three frames of his Cactus League debut. He got a couple of quick outs in the first before a walk and a double produced the Guardians' first run. The left-hander then hit two consecutive batters an inning later, fueling a second run. There's something to be said for getting work with runners on base during spring training, but the performance does little to shake off the fantasy pessimism created by his first three years in Arizona. Bumgarner will be part of the rotation, but the Diamondbacks aren't counting on him as a workhorse starter.
MARCH 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Bryce Jarvis - Making adjustments Jarvis made adjustments to his delivery during the offseason, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.
Impact Specifically, Jarvis is getting more extension on his fastball, which averaged 5.2 feet of extension last season, one of the lowest marks in organized baseball (average is 6.3 feet). That means his fastball has farther to travel to home plate than that of the average pitcher, giving hitters more time to react. He possesses a 95 mph heater, but it was hit hard in 2022, and the right-hander believes it was due to his short extension. He reached 5.8 feet last week and has reached 6.1 to 6.3 feet of range in mound sessions this spring. Jarvis is also working on better pitch deception so that hitters have less time to adjust to what he's throwing. The first-round pick in 2020 posted an 8.27 ERA and gave up 27 home runs (2.3 HR/9) over 25 starts (106.2 IP) at Double-A Amarillo in 2022. The results this spring are encouraging, as Jarvis has allowed one run on four hits while striking out three batters over four innings.
MARCH 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Pavin Smith - Leaves game early Smith was removed from Saturday's spring game against San Diego with back spasms.
Impact Smith, who started in right field, singled and scored in his lone plate appearance in the bottom of the second inning before being removed in the third. He's considered day-to-day, and the injury does not appear to be a serious setback.
MARCH 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Andrew Chafin - Walks three Chafin allowed two runs on three walks and two hits while striking out one over two-thirds of an inning in Saturday's spring game against the Padres.
Impact Chafin's off to a rocky start in the Cactus League. The left-hander has allowed four runs on four hits and walked five batters over 2.2 innings. He's part of the fluid mix of relievers that could get save opportunities. Others in that group are Kevin Ginkel, Joe Mantiply and Mark Melancon.
MARCH 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Zac Gallen - Spring debut coming Gallen is on track to make his spring debut Tuesday against the Athletics, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.
Impact Gallen, the Diamondbacks' projected No. 1 starter, has already thrown three innings in a simulated game and could throw up to four when he eventually pitches in a Cactus League contest.
MARCH 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Merrill Kelly - Adding new pitch Kelly is experimenting with a slider this spring, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.
Impact Kelly used the new pitch six times. Arizona manager Torey Lovullo believes Kelly's existing repertoire works but thinks the slider could be another option to get early-count outs or swing-and-miss strikes against right-handed hitters. "I think good pitchers and good players are always making adjustments. It was definitely something he brought into camp. He embraced it. We're going to watch him continue to work on it," the manager said. Kelly's existing arsenal consists of four-seam and two-seam fastballs, a curveball, a changeup and a cutter.
MARCH 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Brandon Pfaadt - Keeps posting zeros Pfaadt allowed one hit and one walk while striking out four over three scoreless innings in Saturday's spring start against the Padres.
Impact Pfaadt has thrown zeros through two Cactus League starts, allowing two hits and two walks while striking out six over five innings. The right-hander's fastball averaged 94.6 mph and topped out at 96.8, per Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic. Carson Kelly, who caught both of Pfaadt's starts, referred to the hurler's four-pitch mix as "unique" and was impressed at how the 24-year-old attacks major-league batters. Pfaadt, the club's top-ranked pitching prospect, has an uphill battle to become Arizona's fifth starter, so it's likely he returns to Triple-A Reno, where he tossed 61.1 innings over 10 starts in 2022.
MARCH 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Female minor league manager gets day as D-backs bench coach
As she prepares for her first managing job in the minor leagues, Ronnie Gajownik took on a temporary role Saturday — bench coach for the Arizona DiamondbacksMARCH 4, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Oakland A's calling Vegas home, only this weekend for now
The Oakland Athletics are calling Las Vegas home, but only for this weekendMARCH 4, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Joe Mantiply - Works scoreless frame Mantiply allowed one run and struck out one over a scoreless eighth inning in Friday's spring game against the Mariners.
Impact Mantiply hasn't allowed a run over two Cactus League outings. With Arizona's closer situation described as "fluid" by manager Torey Lovullo, Mantiply is part of crew that could get late-inning work. Mark Melancon is likely the frontrunner, but he was roughed up in his spring debut, which focuses speculation about Mantiply, Kevin Ginkel and Andrew Chafin. Mantiply had a strong season in 2022, sporting a 2.85 ERA and 22 holds; however, he blew six of eight save opportunities, as Lovullo auditioned several arms when Melancon lost control of the job.
MARCH 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Tommy Henry - Better in second outing Henry allowed two runs on three hits and a walk while striking out four over three innings of relief in Friday's spring game against Seattle.
Impact Henry bounced back from an unpleasant performance his first time out in the Cactus League. He allowed five runs over 1.1 innings as a starter last Sunday. Even though Henry allowed a couple of runs and two extra-base hits over his first two innings, the left-hander improved and retired the side in order during his final inning. He told Jack Sommers of SI.com that the pitch clock had him huffing and puffing. Henry is in the mix for the No. 5 starter job.
MARCH 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Mark Melancon - Roughed up in first outing Melancon allowed three runs on six hits while striking out two over one inning in Friday's spring game against Seattle.
Impact Melancon made his spring debut in the fourth inning and was immediately tagged for a single and a home run. After a strikeout, the next four hitters reached base before he finished out the inning. Melancon operated as the team's closer to start 2022 before losing the job then reclaiming it again late. He'll be part of the late-game mix in 2023, although manager Torey Lovullo has said the closer role will be fluid.
MARCH 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Merrill Kelly - Makes spring debut before WBC Kelly allowed one run on two hits and two walks while striking out two over 2.1 innings in Friday's spring start against the Mariners.
Impact Kelly made his Cactus League debut and only start before heading off to the World Baseball Classic. He was scheduled to throw three innings or 45 pitches but was pulled after 34 pitches and 1.1 innings. This being spring training, he was allowed to come back in the third inning and retired Seattle's 2-3-4 hitters on 11 pitches. Kelly's coming off his best MLB season in 2022 as he limited walks and long balls, but at age 34, he could be due for age-related decline in 2023.
MARCH 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
We found tickets for every Diamondbacks home game. Some are under $15. The Arizona Diamondbacks are about to kick off their 2023 season. We found tickets for all of their home games at Chase Field in Phoenix.
MARCH 3, 2023 • NYPOST.COM
Kyle Lewis - Making spring debut Sunday Lewis (leg) will make his spring training debut Sunday against Cleveland, Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic reports.
Impact The 27-year-old will serve as the D-backs' designated hitter for his first few appearances before eventually working his way back into the outfield mix. Lewis slashed just .143/.226/.304 over 64 major-league plate appearances last season while battling injuries for most of the year, and his 2020 AL Rookie of the Year campaign is getting further in the rearview mirror.
MARCH 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Former top pick Bryce Jarvis hoping adjustments will unlock his potential Diamondbacks prospect Bryce Jarvis believes the changes he has made to his delivery will help his fastball play better this season.
MARCH 3, 2023 • AZCENTRAL.COM
Zac Gallen - Throws sim game Gallen threw a three-inning, 45-pitch simulated game Thursday, Michael Reynolds of MLB.com reports.
Impact Gallen, the Diamondbacks' projected No. 1 starter, is expected to make his Cactus League debut next week. Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said the right-hander could throw up to four innings when he makes his spring debut.
MARCH 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Alek Thomas - Off to strong start Thomas went 2-for-4 with a double, three RBI and a run scored in Thursday's spring game against the Dodgers.
Impact Thomas has raced out of the gate with five hits, two doubles and five RBI over his first 13 Cactus League at-bats. The Diamondbacks' starting center fielder is tied for the team lead in plate appearances in advance of his participation for Team Mexico in the World Baseball Classic.
MARCH 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Ryne Nelson - Has second rocky start Nelson allowed three runs on four hits and two walks while striking one over 1.2 innings in Thursday's spring game against the Dodgers.
Impact Nelson, who is in the mix for the final spot in the rotation, had a second consecutive rocky outing to begin the Cactus League, raising his spring ERA to 23.63 through 2.2 innings. It's wise for fantasy managers to recognize that pitchers are working on things during spring training, so results aren't primary. That's a point the right-hander made to Michael Reynolds of MLB.com when discussing the two-run, first-inning home run Freddie Freeman hit on a changeup, a pitch Nelson wouldn't normally throw to a hitter like Freeman. "Sometimes my plan doesn't line up with how to attack these hitters [in spring training]," Nelson said. "I probably shouldn't have thrown that changeup in the zone, but I'm just trying to fill up the zone with all my pitches right now." Arizona manager Torey Lovullo is confident Nelson will settle in with more reps and innings.
MARCH 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
