D-backs send Tomas, 7 others to minors in latest cuts

The Arizona Diamondbacks announced eight more roster moves on Tuesday to reduce their spring training roster to 34 as time ticks closer to Opening Day.

The D-backs optioned infielder/outfielder Tim Locastro to Triple-A Reno. Seven others were reassigned to minor league camp: outfielder Abraham Almonte; right-handers Stefan Crichton, Rubby De La Rosa, Ricky Nolasco and Braden Shipley; infielder/outfielder Yasmany Tomas; and infielder Kelby Tomlinson.

All eight of those players have appeared in MLB games, ranging from Crichton’s eight games played to Almonte’s 352.

Tomas, though, is perhaps the most notable of the players reassigned, simply because of the expectations that preceded his current standing with the organization that’s paying him a six-year, $68.5 million deal that began in 2015.

After the D-backs played Tomas for 118 games his rookie season in 2015, he played 140 games in 2016 and 47 games in 2017. He has not played a big league game since then.

This spring, following the departure of Paul Goldschmidt, Tomas has seen more time at first base and has hit .448 with seven RBI in 29 at bats. Defensive acumen and patience at the plate weren’t strong suits for Tomas in his big league days, and perhaps those are still impediments to his path back to major league games.

The D-backs must get their active roster down to 25 before they begin play in the regular season on March 28 at the Los Angeles Dodgers.

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