Arizona Diamondbacks: Award winners after first two weeks

6 of 9

Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Jorge De La Rosa against the San Francisco Giants during opening day at Chase Field. (Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports) /

Most Valuable Reliever runner-up: Jorge De La Rosa

This honor could have gone to either Andrew Chafin or Jorge De La Rosa. Yet, De La Rosa has had better control and has logged more innings.

De La Rosa also had to adjust to a new role. The veteran left-hander spent the previous nine seasons as a starter for the Colorado Rockies. But, when the Diamondbacks signed him to a minor league contract this offseason, De La Rosa was told he would pitch exclusively out of the bullpen.

For a guy that is not used to throwing one inning or less per appearance, the 36-year-old Monterrey, Mexico native has produced in the late innings. In 5.1 innings on the mound, he has a 3.38 ERA with two walks and six strikeouts.

De La Rosa has given up just four hits in 16 at-bats to right-handed batters. He typically has fared better against lefties, but they are one for three off him in 2017. He is throwing all his pitches harder, which is expected, and an inherited runner has not scored.