3/14 Friday Evening Diamondback Rush

Feb 19, 2014; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Cody Ross poses for a portrait during photo day at Salt River Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Normally, this post would have been published in the afternoon. However, my day job has fried an untold number of brain cells this week so I just began getting back my bearings about five minutes ago. The other difference in this particular column is that I normally glance around other websites that are publishing interesting news about the Arizona Diamondbacks. Frankly, I haven’t had time for that this week. What’s a writer to do? How about using the word “rush” and applying it to a number of D’backs’ players?

Let’s hope that Cody Ross does not rush back too quickly. Hip injuries can sideline the best of athletes for long periods of time. Ross was originally hurt six months ago and is now way ahead of schedule, to the point where there were whispers that he could make the trip to Australia. It seems as though he will miss the first three games of the season. He hasn’t played a game yet. Let’s push that timetable back until about the middle of April.

It seems as though the team is in no rush to choose a starting shortstop or a closer. As our own Christian Moffett wrote about, neither Didi Gregorius nor Chris Owings has done anything to distinguish himself. In fact, the Snakes are taking both players to Australia so the winner may not be declared until the day before first game against the San Francisco Giants. As far as the closer goes, Addison Reed has not allowed a run in 5 2/3 innings while J.J. Putz has allowed four earned runs in the same amount of frames. Nevertheless, manager Kirk Gibson still has not made up his mind yet, giving Putz every opportunity to claim the his old job.

If Archie Bradley begins the season in the starting rotation, would the D’backs be accused of rushing him? After all, the 21-year old Bradley has never pitched above Double A and his highest innings total is 152. Command, a bugaboo during his Minor League career, has carried over into Spring Training as he has allowed six walks in 8 1/3 innings. However, the team has stated that if he is one of the best five pitchers during the Spring, he will make the rotation. I agree. If he can get out Major League hitters, then he deserves to pitch at the Big League level.

Finally, I hope that Josh Collmenter does not rush his date this coming Tuesday. As I wrote about last week, one lucky Aussie girl will get to go on a date with Tomahawk at one of Sydney’s finer establishments. Collmenter has stated that he wouldn’t mind moving Down Under once he retires from baseball. Perhaps this upcoming date can be the soul mate Josh is looking for.

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