Arizona Diamondbacks announce 25-man Opening Day roster

Apr 2, 2016, 4:32 PM | Updated: 10:55 pm

Arizona Diamondbacks' Jean Segura, left, is congratulated by manager Chip Hale (3) and pitching coach Mike Butcher (23) after scoring a run against the San Diego Padres during the second inning of a spring training baseball game Tuesday, March 8, 2016, in Peoria, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

BY ARIZONA SPORTS

The makeover is complete.

The Arizona Diamondbacks on Saturday announced their 25-man roster, which will include seven pitchers out of the bullpen and a unique group of bench players who will rotate at shortstop, second base and now center field in the wake of A.J. Pollock’s elbow injury.

Infielder Brandon Drury, who can play second or third, made the opening day roster, as did veteran outfielder Rickie Weeks Jr. who entered spring on a minor league contract.

Those players notably made the roster over Peter O’Brien, the hard-hitting outfielder who was optioned to Triple-A Reno. Right-handed relievers Enrique Burgos and Evan Marshall were also sent down to Reno in favor of Jake Barrett and Silvino Bracho.

Additionally, outfielder Jason Bourgeois was reassigned to minor league camp on Saturday.

Manager Chip Hale told reporters Saturday that Socrates Brito will likely play the most in Pollock’s place in center, but infielder Chris Owings will also be an option against left-handed pitchers. He was already a roster lock expected to platoon with Nick Ahmed and Jean Segura at second and shortstop.

Pollock is joined by long reliever Josh Collmenter on the disabled list to begin 2015.

The projected starting lineup and rotation are below.

Jean Segura, 2B
Socrates Brito, CF
Paul Goldschmidt, 1B
David Peralta, RF
Welington Castillo, C
Jake Lamb, 3B
Yasmany Tomas, LF
Pitcher
Nick Ahmed, SS

Zack Greinke
Shelby Miller
Patrick Corbin
Rubby De La Rosa
Robbie Ray

Bench

Brandon Drury, IF

Phil Gosselin, IF

Chris Herrmann, C

Chris Owings, 2B/SS/CF

Rickie Weeks, OF

Bullpen

Jake Barrett, RP

Silvino Bracho, RP

Andrew Chafin, RP

Tyler Clippard, RP

Randall Delgado, RP

Daniel Hudson, RP

Brad Ziegler, CP

Disabled List

Josh Collmenter, RP

A.J. Pollock, CF

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Last year, Nick Ahmed made small strides to become more than an offensive liability. Yet, he was always appreciated for ranking fifth in MLB in defensive runs saved -- it's a reason he and acquisition Jean Segura, also a shortstop, are expected to split time with fellow infielder Chris Owings.

USA's closer Jake Barrett pitches against Mexico during the ninth inning of their semifinal game at the Premier12 world baseball tournament at Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Friday, Nov. 20, 2015. The United States beat Mexico 6-1 and reach the final. (AP Photo/Toru Takahashi)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Silvino Bracho tosses to first base during a spring training baseball practice, Monday, Feb. 22, 2016, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)

$Socrates Brito began spring on the bubble to make the 25-man roster, but his athleticism and speed now make him the next man up following A.J. Pollock's fractured elbow.$

Arizona Diamondbacks' Welington Castillo, right, talks with bench coach Glenn Sherlock, left, during a spring training baseball workout Monday, Feb. 29, 2016, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

The only lefty in the Diamondbacks' bullpen, Andrew Chafin quietly put together a strong season as a long reliever and will be leaned on more with Josh Collmenter beginning 2016 on the disabled list.

The $8.3 million the D-backs will pay reliever Tyler Clippard this year after signing him as a free agent only highlighted the doubling down of Arizona's front office when it came to spending money to win now.

Josh Collmenter finds himself in a very different spot. This time a year ago, he entered the season as the team's ace. Instead, he begins 2016 on the disabled list due to a shoulder problem.

Positive pitching from left-handed starter Patrick Corbin's could take the D-backs' prospects from above-average to very, very good. After he returned from Tommy John surgery last season with limitations, returning to an All-Star level in the third starting spot would do wonders for the redone pitching staff.

Rubby De La Rosa won a team-high 14 games a season ago, but the more knowledgeable Diamondbacks fans want to see if that was due to substance on the mound or simply related to very good run support.

In his fourth season on the mound for Arizona, Randall Delgado has been steady as a long reliever. He went 8-4 last season for a team that struggled with overworking its relievers.

Arizona Diamondbacks' Brandon Drury (27) celebrates with Nick Ahmed (13) after Drury hit a two-run home run during the fourth inning of a spring training baseball game Monday, March 7, 2016, in Peoria, Ariz. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Arizona dumped Bronson Arroyo's contract by also trading pitching prospect Touki Toussaint to the Braves during the 2015 season, and utility man Phil Gosselin was the main piece in exchange. GM Dave Stewart swears by his grit and versatility.

You know Paul Goldschmidt. Will the D-backs' first baseman finally enter the MVP conversation with production like last season combined with a few more team wins?

Arizona signed ace Zack Greinke to a $206 million contract to snag him from the Los Angeles Dodgers, effectively changing the complexion of the NL West.

Acquired this offseason in a trade with the Twins, catcher Chris Herrmann beat out Horizon High School and ASU product Tuffy Gosewisch to win the backup catcher job.

Arizona Diamondbacks' Daniel Hudson shows off one of the new jerseys during the unveiling of the team's 2016 jerseys, Thursday, Dec. 3, 2015, in Phoenix. (Patrick Breen/The Arizona Republic via AP)

Quietly, Jake Lamb's fine spring got him a lock on the starting job at third base -- again.

Arizona gave up its 2015 first overall draft pick (Dansby Swanson), a starting pitching prospect (Aaron Blair) and its lead-off man (Ender Inciarte) to acquire starting pitcher Shelby Miller. Behind ace Zack Greinke, the pressure is on the former Atlanta pitcher who went 6-17 with the struggling Braves last year.

A shoulder injury last spring hurt Chris Owings production come the season, but now he's healthy. Perhaps the odd man out with fellow second baseman Jean Segura the projected lead-off man and Nick Ahmed at shortstop, Owings didn't become irrelevant. Manager Chip Hale will rotate him in the infield, and possibly will use Owings in center field against left-handed pitchers due to A.J. Pollock's injury.

Choo, choooo! Here comes the Freight Train. While A.J. Pollock went from under-appreciated to well known last year, outfielder David Peralta is the baseball hipster's favorite D-back this year after he slashed .312/.371/.522 in 2015.

$A.J. Pollock missed most of spring with a sore elbow before fracturing it just as he came back and spring ended. The All-Star now faces a long recovery as his team hopes to find replacements high in the batting order and in center.$