Arizona Diamondbacks unveil 25-man roster for 2014 home opener
Mar 30, 2014, 12:47 AM | Updated: 12:47 am
After the Arizona Diamondbacks’ final tune-up of the spring Saturday, general manager Kevin Towers announced the team’s 25-man roster for Monday’s home opener against the San Francisco Giants at Chase Field.
Of the 25 players to make the roster, 11 were not on the D-backs’ big league club when they opened the 2013 season against the St. Louis Cardinals.
Because of injuries to pitcher Patrick Corbin (torn UCL), pitcher David Hernandez (torn UCL) and outfielder Cody Ross (right hip contusion), the D-backs’ roster was adjusted accordingly with 13 pitchers and 12 position players.
“You never want injuries at all,” Towers said. “But if it were up to me, I’d rather have it before the season starts, so you can kind of start the season with fresh and healthy people. We lost our number one starter and our setup guy. It’s tough to overcome, but it happens in baseball.”
Catchers:
• Miguel Montero
• Tuffy Gosewisch
Infielders:
• Paul Goldschmidt
• Aaron Hill
• Chris Owings
• Cliff Pennington
• Martin Prado
• Eric Chavez
Outfielders:
• A.J. Pollock
• Gerardo Parra
• Mark Trumbo
• Tony Campana
Starting Pitchers:
• Brandon McCarthy
• Wade Miley
• Trevor Cahill
• Bronson Arroyo
• Randall Delgado (TBD)
Relief Pitchers:
• Will Harris
• Josh Collmenter
• Brad Ziegler
• J.J. Putz
• Oliver Perez
• Joe Thatcher
• Ryan Rowland-Smith
• Addison Reed
Chris Owings beat out Didi Gregorius, the incumbent, at shortstop. Gregorius will begin the season with Triple-A Reno.
“There’s a little relief,” Owings said. “I’ve been working real hard this spring. It was a long, tough competition, especially this spring with it being a little longer. I’m just excited to get that news and go on and get ready for the year.”
At catcher, Tuffy Gosewisch beat out Henry Blanco for the back-up slot behind Miguel Montero. Towers noted that the team with try to move the veteran backstop, but if there isn’t interest he’ll become the team’s seventh coach.
“I’m not sure I can express how happy I am,” Gosewisch said. “I’m not sure it’s set in yet. I’m really excited and glad I’m coming back Monday.”
Brandon McCarthy will start the home opener against San Francisco left-hander Madison Bumgarner. He’ll be followed in the rotation by Wade Miley, Trevor Cahill and Bronson Arroyo. Arizona’s starter for the road opener April 4 in Colorado has yet to be determined.
