ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS NEWS

Josh Rojas - Starts at 3B Rojas went 2-for-3 with a home run, a double, three RBI and a second run scored in Sunday's spring-training game against the Royals.

Impact Rojas started at third base and batted second in his Cactus League debut. The versatile infielder is the leading candidate to start at third base, and he's approaching the competition like it's his to lose, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports. The Diamondbacks' leadership team have talked about bringing in an established third baseman, which would move Rojas back to a utility role, but no player addition is imminent. However it shakes out, Rojas is poised to garner 500-550 plate appearances, as he did in 2021.

MARCH 21, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Zac Gallen - Live BP scheduled Gallen (shoulder) will throw a live batting-practice session Monday, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

Impact Gallen continues to make progress from offseason shoulder issues, but the right-hander is unlikely to be part of the rotation's first turn to start the season. It's uncertain when Gallen will make his first Cactus League start, and he may not build up enough pitches to be ready the first week of the season. The Diamondbacks start integrating their rotation locks beginning Tuesday when Madison Bumgarner pitches.

MARCH 21, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Madison Bumgarner - Scheduled for Tuesday Bumgarner is scheduled to make his Cactus League debut Tuesday against the Rangers, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

Impact That puts Bumgarner on a schedule to make three spring starts before taking the ball Opening Day on five days rest. Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo has not yet named a starter for the April 7 opener against the Padres, but Bumgarner appears to be the obvious choice.

MARCH 21, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Daulton Varsho - Launches spring dinger Varsho went 1-for-3 with a walk, a home run and second run scored in Sunday's spring-training game against the Royals.

Impact Varsho started at catcher and batted leadoff in his Cactus League debut. While he served behind the plate Sunday, Varsho is expected to be the everyday center fielder for the Diamondbacks while Carson Kelly is the primary handler of the pitching staff. At some point this season, prospect outfielder Alex Thomas should make his way to the big leagues, which could present a challenge to find playing time for both.

MARCH 21, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Ketel Marte - Expected to play Tuesday Arizona manager Torey Lovullo expects Marte (eye) to make his first Cactus League appearance Tuesday, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Impact Marte will serve as the designated hitter Tuesday and eventually get starts at second base, where he's expected to make his primary home in 2022. He ramped up activity toward the end of last week, first batting in a cage then taking live batting practice. The 28-year-old's activity also included fielding high-intensity groundballs.

MARCH 21, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Royals 11, Diamondbacks 10

MARCH 21, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Diamondbacks' Josh Rojas sees third base as his job to lose The Diamondbacks’ Josh Rojas says he’s ready to take over at third, but he also said he would be fine bouncing around if that’s what the tea...

MARCH 21, 2022 • AZCENTRAL.COM

CF or C? Varsho gives D-backs 'unique' options SURPRISE, Ariz. -- A catcher who plays other positions is not uncommon. A catcher who can also play at an average or above in center field?...

MARCH 21, 2022 • MLB.COM

Ketel Marte - Takes live BP Marte (eye) took live batting practice Saturday, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Impact After two consecutive days of batting in a cage, Saturday's session was Marte's first against live pitching since camp started. He's expected to make his spring game-action debut this week.

MARCH 20, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Dan Straily - Make auspicious debut Straily allowed seven runs on nine hits (two home runs) while striking out three over three innings in Saturday's spring game against the Angels.

Impact Straily is bidding to be the Diamondbacks' fifth starter, but his debut in an Arizona uniform did not go well. "I came in with the mind-set that I'm going to fill up the strike zone - and as (pitching coach) Brent (Strom) pointed out to me, I did that a little too well," Straily told Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic. "A lot of first-pitch hits, a lot of first-pitch hacking." Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said Straily has pitched better on the backfields, but he'll need to make adjustments in terms of pitch mix.

MARCH 20, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

David Peralta - Displays new mechanics Peralta went 2-for-3 with a home run and a double in Saturday's spring game against the Angels.

Impact It didn't take long for Peralta, who adjusted his mechanics during the offseason per Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic, to produce results. He homered on his first Cactus League swing, an opposite-field shot down the left-field line, then doubled his second time up. The outfielder is coming off a down season in 2021, but he used the offseason to replace a pronounced leg kick in his swing with a quieter toe tap. The 34-year-old Peralta posted a .259/.325/.402 slash line with just eight home runs last year. Additionally, he hit more balls on the ground and fewer in the air, recording the second-lowest average launch angle of his career.

MARCH 20, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Wilmer Difo - Signs with Diamondbacks Difo agreed to a minor-league deal with the Diamondbacks on Saturday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Impact In 2021, Difo had four home runs with one stolen base and a .269 batting average in 240 plate appearances. Difo played all over the infield and outfield for the Pirates. He could battle for infield reps with Josh Rojas, Nick Ahmed and Josh VanMeter.

MARCH 20, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Angels 12, Diamondbacks 5

MARCH 20, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

J.B. Bukauskas - Out months with shoulder tear Bukauskas will miss multiple months due to a Grade 2 tear of his teres major, reports Steve Gilbert of MLB.com

Impact Bukauskas will hit the injured list for what manager Torey Lovullo called "months not weeks." The pitcher will look to recover in time to perhaps factor into Arizona's plans late in the season.

MARCH 19, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Ryne Nelson - Turns in four innings Friday Nelson allowed one run on three hits while striking out two and walking none over four innings in Friday's spring game against the Rockies.

Impact Nelson, the organization's Minor League Pitcher of the Year for 2021, has been throwing since minor league camp opened last month, so it's natural for him to be up to four innings at this stage of spring. Drafted as a reliever in the second round of the 2019 draft, Nelson is being groomed as a starter for now. He went a combined 7-4 with 3.17 ERA in 22 starts for High-A Hillsboro and Double-A Amarillo in 2021.

MARCH 19, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Ketel Marte - Targeting return Monday Marte (eye) should be a full participant by Monday, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Impact Marte took swings in the batting cage for a second consecutive day Friday then was informed by the eye doctor that he'd be a full go next week. Marte has been dealing with eye irritation that prevented him from participating in any workouts since camp began.

MARCH 19, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Zac Gallen - Throws second bullpen Friday Gallen (shoulder) threw his second bullpen session of camp Friday, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Impact Gallen said he felt no issues with the shoulder following the session. The right-hander's next step will be facing hitters in a live batting-practice session. He's behind the other starters and may not be ready for Opening Day.

MARCH 19, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Nick Ahmed - Over shoulder issue Ahmed is starting at shortstop and batting fifth Saturday against the Angels, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Impact He finished last season on the shelf with a shoulder injury, so it's good to see him back in to full health. Ahmed will face competition from Geraldo Perdomo for playing time at shortstop early this season.

MARCH 19, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Rockies 5, Diamondbacks 3

MARCH 19, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Tommy Henry - Works three innings in opener Henry allowed one run on one hit while striking out one and walking none in Thursday's spring training opener against the Rockies.

Impact Henry, a second-round selection in the 2019 draft, was bedeviled by control issues in 2021 while at Double-A Amarillo, where he walked 53 and allowed 116 hits over 115.2 innings (1.47 WHIP). What made Thursday's effort so promising is that he made a point to attack hitters and get ahead in the count, per Steve Gilbert of MLB.com. The left-hander will likely open the season at Triple-A Reno, another hitter friendly environment like Amarillo, and looks to continue commanding the strike zone as he did Thursday.

MARCH 18, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Ketel Marte - Swings in cage Marte (eye) did not participate in workouts Thursday but did take swings in the batting cage, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

Impact The batting-cage activity represents progress for Marte, who is still bothered by irritation in his left eye. He has yet to participate in a workout since the truncated spring training began earlier this week, but Marte is expected to be a full go soon, per Steve Gilbert of MLB.com.

MARCH 18, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

The Arizona Republic With three weeks before Opening Day, the clock is ticking for the Diamondbacks to decide a handful of areas on their roster.

MARCH 18, 2022 • AZCENTRAL.COM

Alek Thomas - In mix for CF Arizona general manager Mike Hazen said Wednesday that Thomas is among a group of players that could win the Opening Day center field job, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Impact Thomas is one of the organization's top prospects but has only one month at the Triple-A level. It was an impressive month, though, as Thomas slashed .369/.434/.658 over 34 games at Triple-A Reno. The Diamondbacks plan to make Ketel Marte a permanent second baseman in 2022, which opens up center field. The putative starter is Daulton Varsho; however, Hazen made sure to include Thomas' name in the list of players competing. Jake McCarthy and Jordan Luplow will also get time in center during spring training.

MARCH 17, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Pavin Smith - Focused on RF and 1B Arizona general manager Mike Hazen said Wednesday that Smith will primarily play in right field and at first base in 2022, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Impact Smith was moved around last season out of need, adding left field (15 games) and center field (38 games) to his repertoire. However, in a post-season autopsy of 2021, the club noticed considerable defensive lapses, which led to the conclusion that he should stick to one side of the field.

MARCH 17, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Tommy Henry - Gets Thursday's nod Henry will start Thursday's spring training opener against the Rockies, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

Impact Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said the roster for their Cactus League opener will primarily be prospects and minor-leaguers. The left-handed Henry, Arizona's 16th-ranked prospect per MLB.com, toiled in Double-A for the Amarillo Sod Poodles in 2021, when he posted a 5.21 ERA and 1.46 WHIP over 23 games and 115.2 innings. Lovullo said pitchers Caleb Smith, Joe Mantiply and J.B. Bukauskas -- all with MLB experience -- will each toss an inning, as they "came in as prepared as possible."

MARCH 17, 2022 • ROTOWIRE