D-Backs set roster in advance of Friday opener vs. Padres
SAN DIEGO – The Diamondbacks finalized their 30-man roster on Thursday morning, giving the final two bullpen spots to right-handers Taylor Widener and Taylor Clarke and the final bench spot to infielder/outfielder Josh Rojas.
The roster also includes first basemen Christian Walker and Kevin Cron and reliever Yoan Lopez, all of whom were set back in recent days by injury or absence.
Widener and Clarke each give the Diamondbacks added length in their bullpen. It seems reasonable to think, however, that the club won’t need as much pitching depth as it had thought it would heading into camp.
With all of their starters stretched out to the point where they can throw at least 90 pitches the first time through the rotation, the Diamondbacks might be able to handle their pitching staff the way they would at the beginning of a normal season. Either way, the extra pitchers – they are carrying 15 total – give them plenty of depth in the event of an injury or a short start.
Rojas made the roster despite a brutal performance in camp. Counting intrasquad games and the two exhibition games at Dodger Stadium earlier this week, Rojas went 0 for 27 with four walks. He was not much better before spring training was shut down in March, going 5 for 34 (.147), although three of his hits were home runs.
His inclusion comes despite the club claiming roster spots were open to competition. Rojas hit .217 with a .624 OPS in 157 plate appearances in the majors last season.
Here is a look at the overall the roster: Starting pitchers: LHP Madison Bumgarner, LHP Robbie Ray, RHP Zac Gallen, RHP Luke Weaver, RHP Merrill Kelly.
Relievers: RHP Archie Bradley, LHP Andrew Chafin, RHP Taylor Clarke, RHP Stefan Crichton, RHP Kevin Ginkel, RHP Junior Guerra, RHP Yoan López, RHP Hector Rondón, RHP Taylor Widener, LHP Alex Young.
Position players: SS Nick Ahmed, RF Kole Calhoun, 1B Kevin Cron, 3B/2B
Eduardo Escobar, OF Jon Jay, C Carson Kelly, 1B/3B Jake Lamb, OF Tim Locastro, 2B/CF Ketel Marte, CF Starling Marte, LF David Peralta, IF/OF Josh Rojas, IF Ildemaro Vargas, C Stephen Vogt, 1B Christian Walker.
Taxi Squad – C John Hicks, LHP Joe Mantiply, IF Wyatt Mathisen.
The roster will shrink from 30 to 28 players two weeks into the season, per MLB’s rules for this year.
The Diamondbacks open their season at 6:10 p.m. on Friday at Petco Park in San Diego.