Diamondbacks Outfield Depth Is Starting To Get Thin

Feb 20, 2013; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks player

poses for a picture during photo day at the Diamondbacks Spring Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

The Diamondbacks outfield depth is being tested very early this spring training. The team had just received news that newly signed free-agent outfielder Cody Ross would be out two to three weeks. Ross will be out due to a calf injury, and will be limited to just throwing while he is out. The chances of Ross being ready for opening day are now uncertain. When Ross would return from the calf injury he would only have about one week of spring training left to get ready for the season. The diamondbacks do have options of who they want to put in place of Ross should this injury linger on into the season. The options that they have available to them are Tony Campana, Gerardo Parra, A.J. Pollock, and Eric Hinske.

One of these options could potentially be injured. Tony Campana jammed his hand while attempting to steal second base in a Cactus League game against the Brewers. Campana was seen holding his left wrist as he came out of the game immediately. If Campana is out for an extended period of time this would make the team even thinner than they already are in the outfield. The one trait that Campana possesses that the team highly values is his speed. The Diamondbacks are transitioning from a team that in the past relied heavily on hitting HRs, to a team that will use speed. Campana is a player that they could have used off the bench in late game situations. The other options that the team has are that they could do a platoon with players AJ Pollock, Gerardo Parra, and Eric Hinske. Pollock has never hit for a high average in the majors. Pollock just had a .247 in 81 at-bats last season, but that could be because he did not have consistent playing time. The other two options in Parra and Hinske have the most experience in right field. Parra has played 76 games in right field for his career. Hinske has played 160 games in right field for his career, but Hinske is more of a guy that comes off the bench rather than play every day.

The Diamondbacks have the players to use should Campana be out for a long period, but if another one of their outfielders is injured that would severely limit what the team can do.