D-backs’ Tomas starts spring opener, looks to pave path back to majors

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — When the Arizona Diamondbacks signed Yasmany Tomas to a 6-year, $68.5 million contract in 2014, it was a reasonable expectation he’d be a key member of the organization five years later.

A quick glimpse into 2019 from that promising time five years ago would yield satisfying results on the surface.

Tomas was in the starting lineup for the D-backs’ spring training opener on Saturday — a 7-3 win for the Colorado Rockies — along with most of the team’s projected starters for this season.

Unlike them, though, Tomas hasn’t played in an MLB game since 2017 and there’s no guarantee he’ll ever return to the majors with the organization.

D-backs manager Torey Lovullo will do his best to get Tomas and his hefty contract back in the majors this spring, including going outside the box by giving the Cuban reps not only in the outfield but also at first base and in the designated hitter role.

“I know [Tomas] wants to get back to the big leagues and we’re going to do all that we can to give him that opportunity,” Lovullo said Saturday.

If Tomas wants to earn his way back with the D-backs, he’ll have to satisfy Lovullo’s requests.

Offensively, it’s simple.

He needs to take pitches, be patient and hit for power.

Hitting for power likely won’t be an issue — he did club 31 homers in 2016 — so it’ll be his patience at the plate that Lovullo will need to see improve.

His two at-bats on Saturday didn’t do much to help his case.

Tomas’ first at-bat should have been over after two pitches, but a dropped pop up by Rockies first baseman Mark Reynolds extended the at-bat and let him reach base a couple pitches later on an infield single.

Tomas swung on the first pitch of his second at-bat and flied to right field.

He walked just 13 times in 180 plate appearances in 2017 before his demotion to the minors.

In 106 games and 371 plate appearances with AAA Reno last season, Tomas walked just 11 times.

“I want to see him control the zone offensively and grind out a lot of at-bats,” Lovullo said of Tomas. “I want him to build on what I’ve seen in batting practice and that’s just a quiet, patient approach using the entire diamond.”

It gets trickier trying to find a place for Tomas defensively.

Tomas played as the designated hitter on Saturday but obviously that won’t be an option in the regular season in the National League.

The corner outfield spots are occupied by David Peralta and Steven Souza Jr. and its unlikely he would cut into their playing time.

He could find a home at first base, though.

Jake Lamb started at first on Saturday and will likely see significant time at the position, but his struggles against left-handed pitching will open up opportunities when the D-backs face lefties.

Lovullo said it’s possible Tomas will be the team’s backup first baseman for Sunday’s game against the Cleveland Indians.

He made eight starts at first base for Reno last season.

“I just want to see his comfort level at first base, which I’ve really enjoyed watching over the course of some ground ball work, individual work and some team fundamentals,” Lovullo said. “He seems to be very comfortable over there.”

NOTES

– Souza Jr. began his spring campaign with a bang — literally. Souza crushed a 1-2 pitch from Rockies starter Chad Bettis over the left field fence for a 3-run home run in the first inning. Souza told Bickley & Marotta on Thursday that his 2018 season, which ended with a career-low five home runs, was his most frustrating season of his career. Souza finished 1-for-2 in his spring debut.

– Nick Green, who the D-backs added in the Rule 5 Draft, got the start for the D-backs. It was an effective outing for Green who allowed a walk, double and hit by pitch in his two innings. The most encouraging part of his outing was forcing Mike Tauchman into grounding into a double play in the second inning. Green started in place of Matt Koch, who was scratched due to arm fatigue.

– Robbie Ray will make his spring debut on Sunday against the Indians. Ray will face the Indians’ Chin-Wei Hu. The game is at 1:05 p.m. and can be heard on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station.

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