Roster taking shape after D-backs' moves

Infielder Marte optioned; club selects pitchers Wilhelmsen, De La Rosa

March 28th, 2017

PEORIA, Ariz. -- The D-backs' Opening Day roster continued to take shape Tuesday as the team made a slew of roster moves.
Here's a look at what happened and what it means going forward:
• Tom Wilhelmsen and had their contracts selected
The pair of non-roster relievers were added to the 40-man roster and told they were making the team.
Wilhelmsen was not a surprise; he has had a dominant spring. De La Rosa has had some command issues this spring, but won a spot despite that.
D-backs manager Torey Lovullo said that Wilhelmsen was under consideration for a late-inning setup role based on how he has pitched.
That leaves the D-backs with two bullpen spots open and four candidates for them still in camp: , , T.J. McFarland and .
Hoover would seem to be a lock, considering he has yet to allow a run this spring. He likely was not named to the team yet because the D-backs still must clear a 40-man roster spot for him.
"Those will probably be the last two decisions that we make," Lovullo said. "We're going to give those as much time as possible."
optioned to Triple-A Reno
Marte had been competing with Chris Owings and Nick Ahmed for the starting shortstop job. Owings and Ahmed will make the team, but Lovullo was vague about how playing time would be split up.
"I'm not going to define the playing time there," Lovullo said. "We know that both guys are on the team. I'm still going to sort through that road map and figure out that situation. In that spot, you're going to probably see somebody trending toward playing every day, but by no means will either guy be a backup consistently sitting on the bench."
Owings' versatility could allow him to get at-bats in the outfield as well as at second base, in addition to short.
re-signed to a Minor League contract

The D-backs released Blanco Monday night but quickly re-signed him in the morning to a Minor League deal and assigned him to Triple-A Reno. Once his strained right oblique heals, he could find himself in the big leagues.
The move leaves as the only other backup outfield candidate in camp, and he likely will make the team.
• First baseman claimed off waivers
Walker was immediately optioned to Reno and will provide some first base depth, which is something the D-backs needed.
As a result of adding Walker to the 40-man roster, though, the D-backs removed right-hander by designating him for assignment.
• Rotation order
Lovullo would not announce the pitching order after Zack Greinke on Opening Day, but judging by the way their final spring starts line up, it could be Greinke, , , Robbie Ray and .