- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 393,229
- Reaction score
- 43
The Arizona Diamondbacks moved closer to announcing their official Opening Day roster Wednesday, agreeing to terms with left-handed pitcher Jalen Beeks on a one-year contract and selecting right-handed pitcher Shelby Miller to the major league roster.
To make room for Beeks on the 40-man roster, left-handed pitcher Jordan Montgomery was placed on the 60-day injured list with a sprained left ulnar collateral ligament that will require season-ending Tommy John surgery. Also, catcher René Pinto was designated for assignment in a corresponding move to Miller's selection.
Manager Torey Lovullo opened his session with reporters Wednesday at Chase Field saying right-handed relief pitcher Bryce Jarvis also made the team. The Diamondbacks held a team workout in preparation for Opening Day.
"He was doing a nice job for us last year when he got hurt," Lovullo said of Jarvis. "He had to step away to heal up. We wanted to strongly consider him from the moment he walked back into camp healthy this year. We saw a lot of the things that we remembered."
Beeks spoke with Lovullo Wednesday. He's pitched for Tampa Bay and Boston, and last season was with Colorado and Pittsburgh before signing with the Houston Astros and spending spring training with them before being released.
"He knows who he is, he's been around, he has some experience," Lovullo said. "For him to get into that role for us, and we're looking to establish roles as soon as possible. I've been very vague with it because I didn't know what direction we'd be going. Anything's going to be possible. But I want guys to go out there, take the baseball when they're asked, not be so concerned about their status but just go help us win games, and the roles will define themselves."
Miller is back for his second stint with the Diamondbacks, first playing for the team from 2016 to 2018. He was a starter in those days and didn't fare well overall, but has transitioned into a reliever who has had some success the past couple of seasons, with the Dodgers in 2023 and Tigers in 2024.
"There was a lot of strike-throwing consistency," Diamondbacks general manager Mike Hazen said of Miller. "Things that you want to see out of the front to middle side of your bullpen. Maybe he ends up in leverage situations at times. He's had a pretty good run the last couple of years."
Right-hander Corbin Burnes worked into the sixth inning in an outing on the backfields at Salt River Fields on Wednesday, building his pitch count to 80, Lovullo said.
“It was just typical Corbin stuff,” Lovullo said. “He was dotting up pitches, making great adjustments, reading swings. It was a really good outing for him.”
Burnes will make his season debut on April 1 at Yankee Stadium in the fifth game of the season. The club’s new $210 million ace had his debut pushed back due to a scheduling snafu.
The Diamondbacks will open the season with right-handers Kevin Ginkel (shoulder) and Kendall Graveman (back) on the injured list, but Hazen sounded encouraged when asked about their status.
“Unfortunate, but it sounds like they’re both OK,” Hazen said. “They’ll take some time to get back, to ramp back up, but I feel like the diagnoses on both of those guys is fairly positive, if you can say that.”
Lovullo said he spoke with Ginkel on Wednesday and encouraged him to take his time returning.
“He feels much better than he has over the past few days and is trending in a very positive space,” Lovullo said. “I told him, ‘We’re going to hold down the fort until you get back. We need you, but don’t fast-forward it, don’t slow play it. We’ve got to find the sweet spot and trust the medical team will get you to the right place at the right time.’”
Hazen also said right-handed pitcher Ryne Nelson will start the season in the bullpen, and then his situation could evolve into support for the starting rotation if and when needed.
Nelson didn't win a spot in the starting rotation in spring training but has had success as a starter with the Diamondbacks in his career.
"This is a fairly fluid situation," Hazen said.
As Lovullo opens his ninth season as Diamondbacks manager, he's been able to reflect on a career and life in the Phoenix area that he never imagined would last as long as it has.
"I feel very blessed, I feel very fortunate to have been sitting in this seat for nine consecutive years," Lovullo said. "To know that the people that have a chance to say yes or no to my life and my career have believed in me. There have been some really dark times here. We all know what that was like. But we're on the right path, and I have a lot of people to thank in my life."
Lovullo said he looks back on his past seasons as manager often at this time of year, as Opening Day approaches.
"Just to remember what it's taken me to sit in this seat and be here and I'll never forget the good and the bad times," Lovullo said. "But I'll mostly remember the good."
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Busy eve for Diamondbacks on Opening Day; Lovullo reflects on career
Continue reading...
To make room for Beeks on the 40-man roster, left-handed pitcher Jordan Montgomery was placed on the 60-day injured list with a sprained left ulnar collateral ligament that will require season-ending Tommy John surgery. Also, catcher René Pinto was designated for assignment in a corresponding move to Miller's selection.
Manager Torey Lovullo opened his session with reporters Wednesday at Chase Field saying right-handed relief pitcher Bryce Jarvis also made the team. The Diamondbacks held a team workout in preparation for Opening Day.
"He was doing a nice job for us last year when he got hurt," Lovullo said of Jarvis. "He had to step away to heal up. We wanted to strongly consider him from the moment he walked back into camp healthy this year. We saw a lot of the things that we remembered."
Beeks spoke with Lovullo Wednesday. He's pitched for Tampa Bay and Boston, and last season was with Colorado and Pittsburgh before signing with the Houston Astros and spending spring training with them before being released.
"He knows who he is, he's been around, he has some experience," Lovullo said. "For him to get into that role for us, and we're looking to establish roles as soon as possible. I've been very vague with it because I didn't know what direction we'd be going. Anything's going to be possible. But I want guys to go out there, take the baseball when they're asked, not be so concerned about their status but just go help us win games, and the roles will define themselves."
Miller is back for his second stint with the Diamondbacks, first playing for the team from 2016 to 2018. He was a starter in those days and didn't fare well overall, but has transitioned into a reliever who has had some success the past couple of seasons, with the Dodgers in 2023 and Tigers in 2024.
"There was a lot of strike-throwing consistency," Diamondbacks general manager Mike Hazen said of Miller. "Things that you want to see out of the front to middle side of your bullpen. Maybe he ends up in leverage situations at times. He's had a pretty good run the last couple of years."
Corbin Burnes sharp in final tune-up
Right-hander Corbin Burnes worked into the sixth inning in an outing on the backfields at Salt River Fields on Wednesday, building his pitch count to 80, Lovullo said.
“It was just typical Corbin stuff,” Lovullo said. “He was dotting up pitches, making great adjustments, reading swings. It was a really good outing for him.”
Burnes will make his season debut on April 1 at Yankee Stadium in the fifth game of the season. The club’s new $210 million ace had his debut pushed back due to a scheduling snafu.
You must be registered for see images attach
Hazen: Bullpen injuries aren’t overly concerning
The Diamondbacks will open the season with right-handers Kevin Ginkel (shoulder) and Kendall Graveman (back) on the injured list, but Hazen sounded encouraged when asked about their status.
“Unfortunate, but it sounds like they’re both OK,” Hazen said. “They’ll take some time to get back, to ramp back up, but I feel like the diagnoses on both of those guys is fairly positive, if you can say that.”
Lovullo said he spoke with Ginkel on Wednesday and encouraged him to take his time returning.
“He feels much better than he has over the past few days and is trending in a very positive space,” Lovullo said. “I told him, ‘We’re going to hold down the fort until you get back. We need you, but don’t fast-forward it, don’t slow play it. We’ve got to find the sweet spot and trust the medical team will get you to the right place at the right time.’”
Hazen also said right-handed pitcher Ryne Nelson will start the season in the bullpen, and then his situation could evolve into support for the starting rotation if and when needed.
Nelson didn't win a spot in the starting rotation in spring training but has had success as a starter with the Diamondbacks in his career.
"This is a fairly fluid situation," Hazen said.
Lovullo looks back
As Lovullo opens his ninth season as Diamondbacks manager, he's been able to reflect on a career and life in the Phoenix area that he never imagined would last as long as it has.
"I feel very blessed, I feel very fortunate to have been sitting in this seat for nine consecutive years," Lovullo said. "To know that the people that have a chance to say yes or no to my life and my career have believed in me. There have been some really dark times here. We all know what that was like. But we're on the right path, and I have a lot of people to thank in my life."
Lovullo said he looks back on his past seasons as manager often at this time of year, as Opening Day approaches.
"Just to remember what it's taken me to sit in this seat and be here and I'll never forget the good and the bad times," Lovullo said. "But I'll mostly remember the good."
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Busy eve for Diamondbacks on Opening Day; Lovullo reflects on career
Continue reading...
