D-backs announce rotation, final roster still not set
PHOENIX -- Despite weeks ago saying he did want to take roster decisions down to the last day, Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo will do just that.
The D-backs did not finalize their Opening Day roster on Thursday, one day before they conclude the exhibition season ahead of Sunday's opener. The bullpen remained with one hole and the bench still has an opening.
The only roster clarity Lovullo gave was the order in which he will deploy his starting pitchers.
The #Dbacks rotation order: Greinke, Corbin, Walker, Ray, Miller pic.twitter.com/JLBTOphf83
— FOX Sports Arizona (@FOXSPORTSAZ) March 31, 2017
After Zack Greinke -- who unsurprisingly was named the Opening Day starter nearly a month ago -- the D-backs will go with left-hander Patrick Corbin, righty Taijuan Walker, lefty Robbie Ray and right-hander Shelby Miller.
"Through some of our conversations throughout spring and trying to stay away from like deliveries," Lovullo answered when asked how the decision on an order was made. "We have a good opportunity to go right, left, right, left, right."
Walker closed out his spring with five shutout innings Thursday in the first of two exhibitions against the Indians at Chase Field, which Arizona won 6-3. The D-backs' biggest offseason addition gave up four hits and struck out four.
Walker finished the spring with a 3.29 ERA, 32 strikeouts and two walks over 27 1/3 innings. He will make his regular-season debut in a D-backs uniform on Wednesday against the Giants.
There were two open spots in the bullpen at the start of the day. But veteran right-hander J.J. Hoover, a non-roster invitee, was purchased after the game and lefty T.J. McFarland was reassigned to the minor leagues. Hoover extended his scoreless streak his spring to 10 innings despite allowing a hit and a walk in one-third of an inning.
#Dbacks select RHP Hoover, reassign LHP McFarland, option C Hernandez. LHP Chafin and RHP Bracho for final bullpen spot. pic.twitter.com/IAC4TEwkQF
— FOX Sports Arizona (@FOXSPORTSAZ) March 31, 2017
That leaves righty Silvino Bracho and lefty Andrew Chafin for the final bullpen spot.
"We're getting really close to some decisions," Lovullo said. "But we haven't made the final decisions yet."
Chafin retired the only batter he faced Thursday. Bracho was charged with two runs after he gave up two hits and retired just one of the three hitters he faced.
Outfielder Jeremy Hazelbaker likely gets the final bench spot, after an injury to non-roster invitee Gregor Blanco opened the door. Barring the acquisition of a player another club cuts, of course.
