The Diamondbacks started the season off with a considerable amount of injuries to key regulars like Nick Ahmed, Josh Rojas, Jordan Luplow, and others. What made it worse is that Ahmed and Luplow were crucial right-handed bats for the Dbacks.
Recently, the Diamondbacks have been making some roster moves and injury moves that will hopefully help the team. Below, I'll cover the Dbacks roster moves and give you an update on all the Diamondbacks' injuries. That way you know what's up with each of them!
First off though, Welcome back Nick Ahmed!!! Super glad to have him back at shortstop healthy and ready to go. Ahmed had been battling his shoulder injury for two years until receiving two cortisone injections that seem to have helped a lot. He's healthy once again after playing in 7 innings of an extended spring training game on Wednesday. To make room for him on the active roster, the Diamondbacks optioned Yonny Hernandez to Triple-AAA Reno.
Yonny had a pair of crucial fielding mistakes at third base over the past couple of days along with a lack of offense. He had only 2 hits in 19 plate appearances with 2 walks and 2 K's. He provided some speed with 2 stolen bases. However, with Perdomo now moving to third most nights with Ahmed back and Matt Davidson playing third on nights a lefty is on the mound means that Yonny wouldn't be playing much. I'm sure we will see the 24-year old back up in the MLB sometime this year.
A couple days ago, the Dbacks optioned Corbin Martin to Triple-AAA to clear space for Matt Davidson. They also optioned Tyler Gilbert to Triple-AAA after his start while selecting the contract of Matt Davidson to the 40-man Roster. To make room for Davidson, the team designated Matt Peacock for assignment off the roster.
Next. Who is the future for the Dbacks at third base?. dark
Davidson certainly made his presence known as he homered in his first at-bat in the bigs since 2020 and his at-bat with the Dbacks since 2013, over 3,000 days ago. Martin simply wasn't able to pitch enough in the big leagues to where the Dbacks felt comfortable keeping him up here. Why they didn't move him to the rotation, I don't know. Martin had only pitched in two games since Opening Day in which he had only thrown 6 innings. Those 6 innings were great with a 3.00 ERA, 5 hits, 2 ERs, 2 walks, and 9 K's. The Diamondbacks made this roster move so that Corbin can start every 5th or 6th day in Reno. He will be back up in the majors at some point, I guarantee that.
I truly hope that the Peacock doesn't get claimed on waivers after his DFA for some reason. The team called him up to be a long-man for the bullpen during the road trip and he pitched 2.2 innings over 2 games allowing 2 ERs, 2 walks, and 2 K's. That's not great, but it's not awful and should he go unclaimed, he will stick in the system at Reno. I believe this isn't the last we see of Matt Peacock in the MLB.
The saddest move of all was the optioning of Tyler Gilbert. This move befuddles me since he was amazing in his lone start during Tuesday's doubleheader against the Nationals. He gave up only 1 ER on 3 hits and 1 walk with 3 K's over 5.2 innings which had been the longest outing by a Dbacks pitcher up to that point. It made no sense and I honestly think he should be given a spot in the rotation right now over Castellanos. Unfortunately, I'm not in the GM/Manager role. Gilbert will be back up soon I'd bet.
The team also recalled Edwin Uceta from Triple-AAA to serve in the bullpen. Uceta was a former top Dodgers prospect before we claimed him off waivers in November. He's a relief pitcher that has pitched in 4 games so far in the minors throwing 10 innings of 2-run ball with 13 K's and 2 walks. Not bad. He's got plus-potential and should be given a chance soon.
The team also claimed Jacob Webb off waivers from the Atlanta Braves. Webb's a former top prospect that has thrown 76 2/3 innings of 2.47 ERA ball when healthy over the past few years in the MLB. Last year, he had a great 15.6% swinging-strike rate. He'll be one of the Dbacks top relief arms to call upon from Triple-AAA. Webb has another year of options to be used too so he can be kept for the long-term.
Next. Who do the Dbacks face this weekend? Any giveaways?. dark
To create room for Webb on the 40-man roster, the Diamondbacks DFA'ed Stuart Fairchild. Fairchild was originally acquired from the Reds as a prospect outfielder in the trade of Archie Bradley. He was acquired with Josh VanMeter. In a span of weeks, both players that comprised the return of Archie has been cut from the roster. The team traded VanMeter to the Pirates.
Fairchild has a chance to stay in the organization if no other team claims him. To start the season, he was hitting .162/.279/.378 in 43 trips to the dish, striking out 15 times.
Now, onto the injuries.
Josh Rojas is slowly coming back healthy / Chris Coduto/GettyImages
I've already spoken about Nick Ahmed but what about Josh Rojas? Rojas is recovering from a Grade 2 Oblique strain that usually takes over a month to recover from. Rojas has been recovering well and surprisingly quickly. Already, he's taking minor batting practice and doing ground ball work at Salt River Fields. This is great news since it's only been a couple of weeks but don't expect Josh back anytime soon. He's a good 2-to 3 weeks away from making his return. The team wants him to be healthy and not be a repeat of Christian Walker from last year.
Judging by @Dbacks mgr Torey Lovullo's pregame comments, OF Jordan Luplow could be back as soon as Monday from the injured list. Hernandez had been counted on to fill innings at 3rd with Rojas on the IL. Geraldo Perdomo is going to start seeing some reps now at 3rd for 1st time. https://t.co/uOAKOLIVox
Jordan Luplow is quickly returning from his own oblique strain. It was only a Grade 1 strain while swinging the bat. He's now played in 5 defensive innings and taken 5 at-bats in an extended spring training game at Salt River Fields. He should be able to return by the end of next week if not sooner. He will provide a crucial RH bat versus lefties in the OF, though I'm not sure who he kicks down to Reno.
Luke Weaver is still without a timetable to return. He's shut down from throwing for at least another 5+ days after being diagnosed with a mild flexor pronator strain. It's an injury that can lead to more issues down the road if not taken care of now.
J.B. Bukauskas is still recovering from his Grade 2 Teres Major Strain. Already on the 60-day IL, he's begun a slow throwing program but can't return until close to the end of May at the earliest. Expect him to be pushing to return in early June.
dark. Next. Time to bring up Alek Thomas? Or too early?
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Honestly, leaving a 7-game road trip at 3-4 isn't bad at all. I'll take it for this club
