D-backs have plenty of options to plug in at DH
Interleague play offers chance for extra at-bats
For a crowded Diamondbacks outfield just trying to get at-bats, this road swing against the American League might be what the doctor ordered.
After two consecutive losses to close out the series against the Padres, manager Kirk Gibson likely spent some of Monday wondering who, out of many options, should get the designated-hitter assignments for the next six games.
In Sunday’s news conference he said he’s already got a good idea. His first thoughts were Jason Kubel, Eric Chavez and giving Paul Goldschmidt a chance to get a break from first base — he has played 104 out of 105 games for the Diamondbacks this year.
“We have a lot of different ways we could go,” Gibson said. “We’re kind of set up. … We’ve kept our middle guys and interchanged our key defenders on the infield and outfield.”
Gibson stressed the importance of having the designated hitter produce. The three teams the Diamondbacks (54-51) will face — the Tampa Bay Rays, Texas Rangers and Boston Red Sox — all rank in the top 10 for DH production. The Red Sox lead the AL, batting .321. The Diamondbacks have experienced very little success with the position
but have had only 16 at-bats for the position this year.
Chavez feels the team will be able to take advantage of the extra hitter in the lineup better than other NL teams.
“We would make a good AL team, because we have plenty of hitters we could throw in the DH spot,” Chavez said. “Whereas a lot of other National League teams, I don’t think they would. We’ve got so much depth.”
The team’s depth took a little bit of a blow Sunday when Kubel was scratched due to a stiff back. Though Kubel will have Monday to rest it, another option for the designated hitter is Cody Ross. Ross finally has been able to get in a groove the past couple of games after playing most of the season in the outfield rotation. With the consistent at bats, he has thrived, hitting .288 in the past 30 games.
Ross said the extra at-bats from interleague play would be welcome, and that the inconsistency of playing time is one of the reasons it’s been hard to produce offensively.
“In order to get on a roll and get things going as a hitter, the only way to do that is to stay in the lineup,” Ross said. “The way our outfield is set up, there’s five guys that are everyday players.”
Ross praised Gibson for the way he has handled the outfield this season saying that keeping everybody fresh but still getting playing time is not an easy feat.
Kubel has played in only 70 games after playing in141last year. This has led to a drop in production — he has five home runs after hitting 30 last year. Kubel hopes to turn it around with added at-bats.
“Hopefully, it helps out a lot,” Kubel said. “You’re always feeling better when you’re playing more regularly.”