It's time for another look at who might be on the Diamondbacks' Opening Day roster on March 26, and, as expected, there are a number of changes from when we did the projection before camp opened.
That was before Zac Gallen was surprisingly re-signed and before Merrill Kelly experienced some back stiffness that nixed his Opening Day start.
So with the usual caveats that much can change over the next two weeks, here's another look at a possible Opening Day roster with changes noted:
Catcher (2): Gabriel Moreno, James McCann
Adrian Del Castillo was on my initial Opening Day roster, but a calf injury has kept him out of games to this point in camp. While the injury doesn't appear to be serious, it will likely mean he opens the year either on the IL or with Triple-A Reno.
Infielders (7): Nolan Arenado, Ketel Marte, Geraldo Perdomo, Pavin Smith, Tim Tawa, Carlos Santana, Ildemaro Vargas
This is the same group from the first time around, with the addition of Vargas. We haven't seen a ton of Arenado this spring because he's been playing for Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic, but the early returns on his swing changes have been positive. The group lacks a true backup shortstop, but with Perdomo playing nearly every game, Vargas is enough of a backup for now.
Tawa will see time at second and third and in the outfield if needed, as the team sees him as a Ben Zobrist-type player.
Depending on how Santana does at first, Smith could see a lot of time at the DH spot.
Outfielders (4): Corbin Carroll, Alek Thomas, Jordan Lawlar, Jorge Barrosa
This is the same group from the first time around, as it looks like Carroll will be ready for Opening Day after suffering a broken hamate early in camp. It has been quite a remarkable recovery so far for him, and we'll wait and see if there are any lingering effects from it.
Lawlar has played well in center as well as at the plate. Defense was a question for him coming into camp, as he had only played in the outfield a handful of times in the Dominican Republic this past winter, but he has seemed like a natural. If Lawlar keeps hitting and playing good defense, it will likely move Thomas to left as the team waits for Lourdes Gurriel Jr. to return from a serious knee injury.
Barrosa is out of Minor League options, and his ability to play all three outfield positions at a high clip, as well as his speed, makes him a very valuable fourth outfielder. Tawa can also play some outfield, as can Smith in a pinch, so that gives them some depth
Rotation (5): Ryne Nelson, Zac Gallen, Brandon Pfaadt, Eduardo Rodriguez, Mike Soroka
Corbin Burnes will miss the first few months in his recovery from Tommy John surgery, and Merrill Kelly’s back issue will keep him out of his previously scheduled Opening Day start. Kelly could still open the year on the roster and pitch at the backend of the rotation, but I'm going to be conservative here and have him open on the IL and return after a minimum stint. The offseason addition of Soroka gives Arizona the freedom to be conservative with Kelly.
Bullpen (8): Kevin Ginkel, Taylor Clarke, Jonathan Loáisiga, Brandyn Garcia, Paul Sewald, Ryan Thompson, Drey Jameson, Andrew Hoffmann
The bullpen is always the hardest part of the roster to predict, so take this for what it's worth.
The addition of Sewald is the only change that I've made from my first stab at this. Sewald's fastball velocity has been up this spring, and Loáisiga, along with Garcia, have been impressive. Garcia is also helped by being the team's only left-hander.
The 'pen was a sore spot for the Diamondbacks last year and they’ll be without co-closers A.J. Puk and Justin Martinez for the first few months of the season. The competition for the final spots in the 'pen should be fierce this spring and Arizona has young arms like Juan Morillo and Juan Burgos, just to name a few, who could find their way onto the roster.