The Diamondbacks inched closer to setting their Opening Day roster as they made three roster cuts Sunday before heading to Peoria to take on the Padres.
Left-hander Philip Abner was optioned to Triple-A Reno while catcher Aramis Garcia and infielder Jacob Amaya were reassigned to Minor League camp.
In addition, the Diamondbacks have informed right-handed relievers Joe Ross and Jonathan Loáisiga that they have made the team and will have their contracts purchased.
That seemingly sets the 13-man position-player roster with Corbin Carroll, Alek Thomas, Jordan Lawlar, Nolan Arenado, Geraldo Perdomo, Ketel Marte, Carlos Santana, Pavin Smith, Gabriel Moreno, James McCann, Ildamaro Vargas, Jorge Barrosa and Tim Tawa.
That could change, though, should the Diamondbacks swing a trade or claim a player in the next couple of days. Arizona has until Wednesday morning to submit its Opening Day roster to the league.
Things are a little less certain on the pitching side, where Paul Sewald, Kevin Ginkel, Taylor Clarke, Ryan Thompson, Loáisiga and Ross will fill six of the eight spots.
That leaves two bullpen spots open with three pitchers -- righties Andrew Hoffman and Juan Morillo along with lefty Brandyn Garcia -- competing for two spots, barring other moves.
Loáisiga was signed to a Minor League deal this winter, and his stuff this spring has been electric. He sports the velocity the Diamondbacks have been missing in their ‘pen since Justin Martinez went down early last year.
"I thought Loáisiga had some of the better stuff in our ‘pen," D-backs general manager Mike Hazen said. "Obviously, we're trying to improve the aggregate stuff that we have going out there from a missed-[bat] standpoint. He looked good this spring."
Ross, 32, brings experience as someone who has been a starter at times in his career in the big leagues, and he can serve as a long man in the ‘pen early in the season. Innings are always a concern early in the season with starting pitchers not always built up to throw 100 pitches.
"I think his ability to get out to 50-60 pitches is a big separating factor for us, especially early," Hazen said. "So having somebody like that is of critical importance, especially early. He obviously has experience and we love the guy."
The Diamondbacks liked Garcia, but with Moreno and McCann already on the roster, they were not planning on carrying three catchers, so that left him as the odd man out.
The Abner and Amaya decisions were harder because both acquitted themselves well in camp and could have filled roles.
"I thought Abner had a pretty decent spring," Hazen said. "I thought his strike throwing was good. I think it was a hard decision as we're boiling down [the last couple of spots]."
When sending him down, the Diamondbacks challenged Abner to execute a little better against lefties, moving the ball into them more to keep them from leaning out and hitting his slider.
Amaya played good defense and was hitting .341/.375/.477 heading into Sunday night's game. He will give them some shortstop depth at Reno.
"Amaya had a really good spring," Hazen said. "He's a good baseball player. He can really pick up the baseball and he's got good instincts offensively. I think he's going to help us."