D-backs down to final roster decisions as Opening Day approaches

The Diamondbacks optioned reliever Kade Strowd on Friday, but they still have a ways to go to get their roster down to 26 for next Thursday's opener against the Dodgers.

The rotation of Zac Gallen, Ryne Nelson, Eduardo Rodriguez, Mike Soroka and Brandon Pfaadt is set, though what order they will pitch in following Gallen has not been announced. Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said he has made up his mind, but wants to have a couple more conversations with pitchers before making anything official.

The position-player group looks pretty well set, too, minus a couple of bench decisions.

Corbin Carroll, Alek Thomas, Jordan Lawlar, Nolan Arenado, Geraldo Perdomo, Ketel Marte, Carlos Santana, Pavin Smith, Gabriel Moreno and James McCann are set.

That leaves three spots on the bench, and it would appear there are four candidates in Tim Tawa, Ildemaro Vargas, Jacob Amaya and Jorge Barrosa.

Barrosa is out of Minor League options and seems a good bet to make it, while Vargas and Amaya are both non-roster players for whom the team would have to clear 40-man roster spots.

Trying to figure out the bullpen, even with less than a week to go, is still tricky.

Assuming veterans Paul Sewald, Kevin Ginkel, Ryan Thompson and Taylor Clarke make the team as expected -- and the team decides to add non-roster invite Jonathan Loáisiga to the roster after an impressive spring -- three spots remain open.

The remaining candidates for those spots include lefties Brandy Garcia and Philip Abner along with right-handers Andrew Hoffmann, Joe Ross and Juan Morillo.

There is also the possibility that the Diamondbacks could acquire a reliever, especially from the left side, before the end of camp. This is the time of year when players get placed on waivers or non-roster invites can opt out of their Minor League deals.

Lovullo said he would like to have the decisions finalized and the players told by the time the team heads to Chase Field on Monday for the first of two exhibition games against the Guardians.

As for Strowd, who was acquired from the Orioles for third baseman Blaze Alexander, the Diamondbacks want to see a little more consistency.

"He's still finding his way," Lovullo said. "He's still trying to locate the zone and throw all pitches with consistency. That, to me, is what a Major League pitcher is able to do -- maintain consistency, self-regulate, step back off the mound and find a way to get back into the count, get back into the hunt. It was a little bit of a grind for him. I think he lacked consistency with certain pitches, but he's going to find his way back here."