Inbox: Is a change coming in closer's spot?

How soon before Chip Hale names Daniel Hudson closer and David Hernandez setup man?
-- Anthony, Mesa, Ariz.

This is one of the many questions I got about the closer situation in the wake of Addison Reed's struggles.

Video: SD@ARI: Reed retires Kemp to record the save

Any time you ask a manager 10 minutes after a tough loss what he intends to do about his closer, you're not going to get much of an answer. As Hale said Wednesday, it's best to let the dust settle and the emotion of the moment pass before making a decision.

Hernandez is not due back for a couple of weeks, so he's not headed to the setup role in the immediate future. As for Hudson, he has dominant closer-type stuff. But given that he's coming back from two Tommy John surgeries, he's not available right now to pitch in back-to-back games or three out of four days, which is important when you're closing games. If Hale decides to make a move, Brad Ziegler would seem to be the most logical choice to fill the closer's role.

Rest assured, the bullpen as a whole has been and will continue to be a topic of discussion with the baseball operations and on-field staffs as they try to find the right mix. And we will certainly ask Hale before Friday's game where things stand with the closer's role.

What do you expect to happen with Yasmany Tomas when Jake Lamb returns?
-- Sherman, Tucson, Ariz.

I still think at some point, they are going to want Tomas to get regular at-bats, and if they can't get those for him in the big leagues, he's going to have to go back to Triple-A Reno. I would think that when Lamb returns, he would get his starting job back, but whether that means Tomas goes to the bench or to Triple-A remains to be seen.

Video: WSH@ARI: Tomas grounds a go-ahead single to center

Any possibility of Aaron Hill getting his job back, moving Chris Owings to shortstop and sending Nick Ahmed to the Minors? Hill is playing well.
-- Austin, Gilbert, Ariz.

The D-backs seem committed to Ahmed right now, despite his struggles at the plate. Should Hill and Owings continue to keep hitting as they have, they certainly would have to try and find ways to get them both in the lineup. Whether that means Hill at third (until Lamb comes back) or the scenario you suggested remains to be seen.

Video: WSH@ARI: Hill doubles in two for the D-backs

Will the team be willing to let Jeremy Hellickson go when Archie Bradley and especially Patrick Corbin return?
-- Mindy, Phoenix

Hellickson's outing Wednesday was a step forward for him, so I don't think he's going anywhere right now. Bradley's return will give Arizona five starters again, so they do not need to remove anyone from the rotation. As for what they will do when Corbin comes back, that's still a few weeks away. A lot can happen between now and then.

Video: WSH@ARI: Hellickson strands runner at third base

Where is Jarrod Saltalamacchia?
-- Anne, Wellington, Fla.

Last I heard, Saltalamacchia was working out in extended spring camp. General manager Dave Stewart was headed over to watch him Wednesday. It had been a while since Saltalamacchia had gotten at-bats, so the D-backs wanted to give him some before making an evaluation.