SEATTLE -- When the D-backs signed free-agent lefty Eduardo Rodriguez in December, it reduced the number of opportunities to make the team out of Spring Training that some of the organization’s younger starting pitchers were going to get.

After Rodriguez went down with a lat strain, and Arizona added left-handed free agent Jordan Montgomery, it also looked like the younger pitchers would have a hard time seeing many big league innings.

But Rodriguez had a setback in his rehab, Merrill Kelly sustained a strained teres major muscle and Ryne Nelson got hit on the elbow with a comebacker. With all three of them on the injured list, the D-backs have had to rely on young pitchers like Tommy Henry and Slade Cecconi.

Henry opened the year in the rotation along with Nelson but was optioned to Triple-A Reno when Montgomery joined the team. Cecconi did not make the team out of Spring Training and was one of those who ached for an opportunity.

Cecconi has made the most of his two starts since being called up. After pitching well against the Giants in his first start, he allowed one run over six innings in Arizona’s 3-1 loss to the Mariners on Saturday night at T-Mobile Park.

“I think from a pitching standpoint, it’s a great opportunity for some of these young starters who tell us they want an opportunity, to show us what they can do,” D-backs GM Mike Hazen said. “Now they’re getting that runway to show us what they can do. We’re going to need these guys today and into the future. There is a value to this for us. We want to play with a healthy squad, but this is a good opportunity for these guys to show us what they can do.”

It hasn’t just been starting pitchers who have been hurt. Closer Paul Sewald strained his right oblique during Spring Training and relievers Luis Frías, Kyle Nelson and Miguel Castro recently went on the shelf with injuries.

On the position player front, shortstop Geraldo Perdomo tore the meniscus in his right knee while outfielder Alek Thomas strained his left hamstring.

The D-backs were remarkably healthy last season as they won 84 games, captured the final NL Wild Card spot and made it all the way to the World Series before falling to the Rangers. It’s possible that the extra month of games last year has impacted the pitchers this year, but there’s no way to know that for sure.

“I think that’s a lot of it, I do, honestly,” Hazen said. “But you look across the league and the amount of pitching injuries is incredible. I don’t know. I ask all these questions. I know the medical staff does, too. We are constantly trying to self-critique what we’re doing and how we’re doing. For the most part, we have stayed healthy for the past few years, and we’re doing the same [training methods]. It’s hard for me to say that, now, whatever we’re doing is wrong. I don’t believe that’s the case.”

The loss to the Mariners dropped the D-backs to 12-16 on the year. While it’s not the record they want to have, they also know it’s a long season and far too early to panic. They will try to keep their heads above water for now and hope to get a lift as each of the injured players makes his way back to the active roster.

All that being said, Hazen has been frustrated with an offense that can explode for 14 runs against the Cardinals on Tuesday and then score a total of three runs over the next three games.

Part of the problem, Hazen said, is they are not getting on base at a high enough clip, which doesn’t allow them to use their team speed to put pressure on the opponent. Creating chaos on the bases was a hallmark for the D-backs last year and they want to get back to that.

“We need to keep the train on the tracks, which we should be plenty capable of doing,” Hazen said. “We have plenty of talented players. Second thing is, we are not playing great right now. We can play better than we’re playing right now. We can be more consistent. Our offensive approach can be more consistent. The 17 runs, no runs thing is not a way to live your life in the game.”