Diamondbacks rotation starting to take shape
Mar 23, 2011, 5:08 AM | Updated: 6:39 am
PHOENIX – The Arizona Diamondbacks starting rotation became a little clearer on Tuesday.
Manager Kirk Gibson named Barry Enright as the team’s number three starter to start the season.
“He’s pitched great and done everything we’ve asked. He’s earned a spot to start the season,” said Gibson.
For Enright, being named to the rotation was especially gratifying because he had to earn it rather than just being given the spot.
“Obviously, they went out and got some pretty good pitchers. It wasn’t going to be easy,” said Enright.
Enright wasn’t necessarily considered to be a favorite for the rotation at the beginning of Spring Training due to his lack of overpowering stuff.
However, Gibson was impressed with Enright’s all-around abilities.
“He executes his pitches, very well prepared, fields his position, holds runners and handles the bat. That’s good stuff to me,” said Gibson.
Enright was determined not to let his doubters affect his chances to make the team.
“You don’t like reading stuff, but in the end, you have expectations for yourself and I knew inside I wanted to be here,” said Enright.
The Diamondbacks are left still trying to fill out the last two spots on their rotation.
Aaron Heilman, Joe Saunders and Armando Galarraga are still in the mix.
To much surprise, Saunders, who was the favorite to be the team’s Opening Day starter, hasn’t been picked yet for the team’s rotation.
“If he hasn’t announced me as a starter yet, he hasn’t announced me as a starter yet. It is what it is,” Saunders said. “I’m not going to make anything of it that it isn’t.”
Saunders said he would do whatever the team asked of him even if it meant moving to the bullpen.
“That’s not my call. They pay me to get outs and win games. That’s what they brought me over here to do,” said Saunders.
“If they think I can do that better in the bullpen, then that’s their decision.”
