D-backs add extra pitcher for NL WC Game

PHOENIX -- In the end, the D-backs decided to carry an extra pitcher rather than a position player, going with a mix of 10 hurlers and 15 hitters for tonight's National League Wild Card Game against the Rockies at Chase Field.
Should the D-backs beat the Rockies, they will be able to reset their roster for the NL Division Series presented by T-Mobile against the Dodgers, which would start on Friday at Dodger Stadium.
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Outside of the number of pitchers they would keep, the biggest question regarding the D-backs' roster was how many starting pitchers would make it.
Throughout the process, general manager Mike Hazen and manager Torey Lovullo said the team wanted to take its best pitchers. The roster wound up including four starting pitchers -- starter Zack Greinke, Robbie Ray, Patrick Corbin and Zack Godley.
Ray will likely be the team's starter for Game 1 of the NLDS if the D-backs advance without having to use him.
Right-handed reliever Jimmy Sherfy, who has not pitched in a game since Sept. 24 due to tightness in his right triceps, made the roster after throwing a live batting-practice session Monday. Sherfy has not allowed a run in 11 appearances over 10 2/3 innings since being called up from Triple-A Reno in September.
"We looked at the velocity," Lovullo said. "We looked at the shape of the pitches and we were tracking things the same way we would if you were pitching in a game, and it checked out. I think the thing that set it apart for me was when he walked off the mound; typically I'll have about a three- or four-minute conversation, and he looked me square in the eye and said, 'I want the ball.' For me, that cinched it up right there."
Shortstop Chris Owings, who had been out with a fractured finger since July 30, was a long shot to make the team as a pinch-runner. Owings only recently got to see live pitching. Instead, the team will carry Kristopher Negrón.
"We felt like time had run out for C.O. to give us some of the answers we needed," Lovullo said. "So he's going to continue to progress. Hopefully if things go the way we anticipate, he'll be available and be considered for the next round."
The complete roster is as follows:
Catchers
Chris Herrmann
Chris Iannetta
Jeff Mathis

Infielders
Daniel Descalso
Brandon Drury
Paul Goldschmidt
Jake Lamb
Ketel Marte
Negron
Adam Rosales

Outfielders
Grégor Blanco
Rey Fuentes
J.D. Martinez
David Peralta
A.J. Pollock

Pitchers
Archie Bradley
Andrew Chafin
Corbin
Jorge De La Rosa
Godley
Greinke
David Hernandez
Ray
Fernando Rodney
Sherfy