Lovullo quiet, but Opening Day roster appears set

Several moves Monday get Arizona down to 25 men; Greinke excellent in final tuneup; Goldschmidt fine after HBP to head Sunday

March 27th, 2018

PHOENIX -- D-backs manager Torey Lovullo didn't want to officially announce his team's Opening Day roster, but after another round of moves Monday, the team is down to its 25-man roster.
"Really nothing," Lovullo said when asked what was left to decide with regards to the roster. "We'll announce the roster here in a very, very short time."
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The D-backs placed reliever and outfielder Steven Souza Jr. on the 10-day disabled list, released catcher Chris Herrmann and assigned pitchers and Kris Medlen along with outfielder Rey Fuentes and infielder to Minor League camp.
That means that John Ryan Murphy has claimed the third catcher spot and lefty T.J. McFarland won the final spot in the bullpen.
The D-backs are expected to officially announce the roster Tuesday when they play their final exhibition game of the spring against the Indians at Chase Field.
Greinke sharp
In his final tuneup before the regular season, D-backs right-hander Zack Greinke allowed just one hit over six shutout innings while throwing 75 pitches, 55 for strikes. The D-backs won, 7-0.
"I wish this one counted," Greinke joked after the game.
Lovullo said that the team will wait until after Greinke throws his bullpen Wednesday before officially announcing that he will start the third game of the season, Saturday against the Rockies at Chase Field.
Goldy is good
said he had no issues after being hit in the head by a pitch during a Minor League game Sunday afternoon.
In fact, Goldschmidt stayed in the game after the incident.
"I took three more at-bats," Goldschmidt said. "I was fine. I felt good right after so I knew I was OK. It's just part of the game."
Peralta to play Tuesday
Outfielder was initially in Monday's lineup, but Lovullo elected to give him an extra day to rest his right thumb.
Peralta is expected to be in the lineup Tuesday afternoon against the Indians.
Closing time TBD
Lovullo was not ready to say whether , Brad Boxberger or would be his closer when the season opens Thursday. It appears, however, that he has decided, but just wants to wait until he's able to deliver the news personally to the three.
Dyson and Owings in right
As expected, and Chris Owings will split time in right field while Souza is on the DL.
"I feel very comfortable knowing that they give us the right depth, they give us the right chance to win games," Lovullo said.
Daily matchups will determine which one of the two plays. Dyson is a left-handed hitter and Owings a righty, but Lovullo said it won't strictly be a left-right platoon.
Bullpen cart debut
The D-backs rolled out their new bullpen cart Monday, with Bradley becoming the first pitcher to ride out in it when he relieved Greinke to start the seventh.
Up next
The D-backs close out their spring slate Tuesday by sending to the mound against the Indians and . First pitch is at 12:40 p.m. MST. Fans can watch on MLB.TV.