Get to know the 2021 Diamondbacks’ Opening Day roster

Apr 1, 2021, 9:15 AM

BY ARIZONA SPORTS

Nick Ahmed, SS

Ahmed can count himself as one of the key D-backs starters who did not suffer at the plate last year. He posted career highs in batting average (.266) and BABIP (.324), but he had an uncharacteristic run on defense with seven errors in just 56 games as his streak of two Gold Glove awards ended. Ahmed missed time in spring with nagging knee soreness and a leave for personal reasons.

(AP Photo/Matt York)

Madison Bumgarner, LHP

Bumgarner's rodeo alias and velocity were concerns during last year's interrupted spring, and he got off to a shaky start to the regular season before a back injury put the lefty on the injured list. Though Bumgarner finished his last two games of 2020 relatively well, he posted a 6.48 ERA in his first season away from the San Francisco Giants, setting up the Opening Day starter to seek a bounce-back 2021.

(AP Photo/Matt York)

Asdrubal Cabrera, INF

The 35-year-old who played for the Washington Nationals the past two seasons was mashing this spring. He can play all over the infield but should see time mostly at first and third. The switch-hitter, who could be a prime DH candidate against lefties, batted .314 against southpaws opposed to .216 against righties in 2020.

(Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Taylor Clarke (45) throws during the first inning of a spring training baseball game against the Chicago White Sox Sunday, March 21, 2021, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Stefan Crichton throws during the ninth inning of the team's baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2020, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Chris Devenski, RHP

The 30-year-old made spot appearances over the past five years with the Houston Astros. He didn't allow a run over his first seven spring outings with the D-backs, helping him fight for a roster spot.

(Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Eduardo Escobar (5) celebrates at third base after he tripled during the third inning of a spring training baseball game against the Chicago Cubs Sunday, March 7, 2021, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Kevin Ginkel, RHP

Ginkel's numbers went the wrong direction over the past two seasons. His ERA jumped from 1.48 to 6.75 while his WHIP increased from 0.986 to 2.125. Yet the Arizona Wildcat allowed just one earned run in his first 7.0 spring innings.

(AP Photo/Eric Risberg)

Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Riley Smith (46) gets a fist bump from catcher Carson Kelly after Smith closed out the Texas Rangers in the fifth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2020, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Merrill Kelly (29) delivers against the Texas Rangers in the first inning of a baseball game Tuesday, July 28, 2020 in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Richard W. Rodriguez)

Arizona Diamondbacks left fielder Tim Locastro dives but cannot get to a ball hit for a single by Seattle Mariners' Sam Haggerty in the third inning of a spring training baseball game Monday, March 15, 2021, in Surprise, Ariz. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Yoan Lopez throws against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the seventh inning during a baseball game Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Ketel Marte (4) celebrates after hitting a home run during the first inning of a spring training baseball game against the Oakland Athletics Tuesday, March 16, 2021, in Scottdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Wyatt Mathisen (27) catches a pop-up hit by Kansas City Royals Kyle Isbel for an out in the fourth inning of a spring training baseball game Thursday, March 25, 2021, in Surprise, Ariz. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Trayce Thompson (30) celebrates his solo home run with David Peralta (6) during the second inning of a spring training baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels, Thursday, March 4, 2021, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Kansas City Royals' Carlos Santana, right, slides into second base in front of Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Josh Rojas (10) in the first inning of a spring training baseball game Thursday, March 25, 2021, in Surprise, Ariz. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Caleb Smith (31) throws against the San Francisco Giants during the second inning of a spring training baseball game, Monday, March 8, 2021, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Pavin Smith gestures as he runs towards home plate after hitting a home run in the second inning of a spring training baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Thursday, March 25, 2021, in Surprise, Ariz. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Riley Smith throws to a Texas Rangers batter during the ninth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2020, in Phoenix. The Diamondbacks won 7-0. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Joakim Soria, RHP

A 36-year-old veteran, Soria has 223 career saves and two All-Star appearances heading into his 14th MLB season. He could be an option for the Diamondbacks in late-game, high-leverage situations. While he hasn't closed since 2018 with the Chicago White Sox, he's coming off a strong 2020 campaign with the Oakland A's in which he posted a 2.82 ERA.

(Photo by Rob Tringali/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Josh VanMeter (19) is out at second after a throw to Milwaukee Brewers shortstop Orlando Arcia (3) during the fifth inning of a spring training baseball game Friday, March 19, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Kansas City Royals's Kyle Isbel, left, scores behind Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Stephen Vogt, right, on a hit by Andrew Bernintendi in the second inning of a spring training baseball game Thursday, March 25, 2021, in Surprise, Ariz. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Christian Walker (53) celebrates his two-run home run against the Cleveland Indians with players and coaches during the first inning of a spring training baseball game Wednesday, March 3, 2021, in Goodyear, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Luke Weaver (24) throws during the first inning of a spring training baseball game against the Colorado Rockies Tuesday, March 9, 2021, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Taylor Widener pitches in the first inning of a spring training baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Monday, March 15, 2021, in Surprise, Ariz. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Alex Young throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)

The Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday pushed through transactions to effectively set the Opening Day roster for the 2021 debut in San Diego against the Padres.

Along with setting a 26-man roster by calling up right-handed pitcher Riley Smith from Triple-A, the team also placed starting pitcher Zac Gallen on the 10-day injured list due to a hairline fracture in his lateral forearm near his right elbow. Gallen was in the running to become the team’s ace, and with his injury, veteran Madison Bumgarner will take the mound Thursday.

The Diamondbacks on Thursday also placed outfielder Kole Calhoun (knee) on the 10-day injured list. Reliever Tyler Clippard (shoulder) had previously been added to the IL.

Clippard could miss a month or more, while Calhoun has begun ramping up activities after undergoing surgery on March 3 for a medial meniscus tear.

Here’s a look at the full 26-man roster by position group:

2021 Arizona Diamondbacks Opening Day 26-man roster

Pitchers

Right-handed: Taylor Clarke (45), Stefan Crichton (58), Chris Devenski (32), Kevin Ginkel (37), Merrill Kelly (29), Yoan López (50), Riley Smith (46), Joakim Soria (48), Luke Weaver (24) and Taylor Widener (57).

Left-handed: Madison Bumgarner (40), Caleb Smith (31) and Alex Young (49).

Catchers

Carson Kelly (18) and Stephen Vogt (21).

Position players

Nick Ahmed (13), Asdrúbal Cabrera (14), Eduardo Escobar (5), Tim Locastro (16), Wyatt Mathisen (27), Ketel Marte (4), David Peralta (6), Josh Rojas (10), Pavin Smith (26), Josh VanMeter (19) and Christian Walker (53).

Taxi squad

RHP Jeremy Beasley (59), LHP Joe Mantiply (35), RHP Matt Peacock (47), C Bryan Holaday (28), INF/OF Andrew Young (15).

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