PHOENIX -- With one final move ahead of their exhibition matchup against the Guardians at Chase Field on Monday, the D-backs have set their Opening Day bullpen, and it is, quite literally, all right.
The D-backs had already decided non-roster invitees Joe Ross and Jonathan Loáisiga would make the team, joining Paul Sewald, Kevin Ginkel, Ryan Thompson and Taylor Clarke. That left two spots to fill among Brandyn Garcia, Andrew Hoffman and Juan Morillo.
The D-backs on Monday informed Garcia, the club’s No. 20 prospect, that he will open the season with Triple-A Reno.
Here’s the rub: None of those pitchers other than Garcia is left-handed.
“I know you guys are sitting here doing the math,” manager Torey Lovullo said to reporters during his pregame media session. “We don’t have a lefty in the bullpen. I’m very well aware of that. However, we feel very comfortable with some reverse-split guys that can go out there and attack left-handed hitters.”
Lovullo also said he expected Garcia to be pitching out of the D-backs’ bullpen at some point this season. He just needs to show he can throw more strikes at Triple-A.
“The reason for this decision, and this is what I told Brandyn, is that our main pillar is filling up the strike zone,” Lovullo said. “I felt that was a little inconsistent [this spring], but with him going down and getting some quality work and taking care of business, filling up strikes, he’ll get back to what he’s capable of doing. He’s going to be in our bullpen in no time.”
In the meantime, Lovullo mentioned Ginkel and Morillo as two righties he will count on to keep lefty hitters in check.
Ginkel’s career splits are relatively neutral (.312 OBP vs. RHH, .311 OBP vs. LHH), but he fared far better against lefties than righties last season.
Ginkel vs. RHH in 2025
.328/.403/.426 – 137 OPS+
Ginkel vs. LHH in 2025
.220/.306/.390 – 90 OPS+
Morillo was also harder on lefties than righties in his rookie season last year.
Morillo vs. RHH in 2025
.320/.386/.480 – 145 OPS+
Morillo vs. LHH in 2025
.264/.403/.358 – 113 OPS+
Lovullo also said he thinks Loáisiga can be a guy he can rely on against lefties, but he isn’t ready to zero in on that role for him in his first year with the D-backs just yet.
“I think he's got real good stuff, first of all, but I'm not going to put anybody in the pocket yet,” Lovullo said. “I'm going to try to match guys up the best way I know how to go out and have as much success as possible. He's looking like he can get some left-handed hitters out, but I still want to get to learn him a little bit, and I will through the course of the early part of the season.”
Lefties got to Loáisiga for a 159 OPS+ last season, but his career splits are much better.
Loáisiga vs. LHH career
.266/.330/.392 – 112 OPS+
Whatever buttons Lovullo decides to push, the D-backs’ bullpen faces a tough test right out of the gate, as the club opens the season with a three-game series at Dodger Stadium, beginning Thursday at 5:30 p.m. MST.
The defending World Series champions have no shortage of dangerous left-handed hitters, featuring Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, Kyle Tucker and Max Muncy.
“They’re good no matter what. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a left-handed matchup, right-handed matchup, they’re good no matter what,” Lovullo said when asked whether he was concerned about L.A.’s lefties. “I’m concerned, that’s how I go into every series. I just want to make sure that concern raises awareness within our clubhouse and our preparation, so we go in there and compete.
“The Dodgers are good, the two-time defending world champions, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’m loving the fact that we’re going into L.A. to open the season. It’s going to be a good test for us.”