D-backs RHP Drey Jameson confident he’ll be ready for Opening Day

SCOTTSDALE — Reporting to spring training certainly had a different “vibe” for Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Drey Jameson than last year.

After missing an entire season while recovering from Tommy John surgery, Jameson hopped back on the mound in front of fans during the first day of official workouts on Wednesday.

“Last year, coming in knowing that I wasn’t going to be playing was a little difficult,” Jameson said. “This year, knowing I can compete for a spot is definitely the spot that I want to be in.

“I’ve been here all offseason. I’ve been coming in hitting all my lifts, throwing program and then I’ve thrown seven or eight bullpens here. So yeah, we’re moving.”

Drey Jameson (and the Scooby-Doo cleats) back on the mound pic.twitter.com/8aZvn4deyq

— Alex Weiner (@alexjweiner) February 12, 2025

When asked whether he’ll be available for Opening Day, Jameson said, “no question,” expressing the belief he could be ready in a week or two. He’s been throwing 25-30 pitches in his most recent sessions with varying intensity.

Drey Jameson to compete for bullpen role

Manager Torey Lovullo has watched his progress, noting the 27-year-old is looking healthy. But Lovullo said stretching him out to a starter is unlikely at this point given the health risks, so Jameson will likely compete for a bullpen role in camp.

“This is probably the seventh bullpen I’ve watched Drey throw, and it’s been hot and getting hotter,” Lovullo said. “But there’s more to it than that.

“There’s recovery. How are you feeling the next day? There’s secondary stuff. Can you get to all pitches? And he’s there, he’s close, but now it’s a matter of being consistent. So where does he fit in? The same as everybody else, he’s gonna get a chance to get the baseball and show us what he could do.”

Jameson last pitched in a game on July 6, 2023. At that time, his career ERA in 65 innings was 2.63, working as both a starter and reliever in a way the Diamondbacks surely regret.

Taking a step back in some ways has allowed him to evaluate the start of his MLB career.

“You get to really tap in and really dive into the player who you are for a year, right?” he said. “Usually when you’re playing this game, you don’t have that downtime to really work on all the little stuff you might want to work on for a year. That starts with the strength and conditioning to build the strength to get back, and then the little stuff around those muscles and little things you can finally tap into and get healthy.”

After showcasing an upper 90s fastball and wipeout slider, Jameson said he is getting the hang of a curveball.

When asked how, he said, “I have no idea, but I like it.”

That’s not to say there have not been hiccups in the process. Jameson initially avoided surgery to rehab in 2023 and ended up undergoing the procedure. He started throwing bullpens toward then end of the 2024 season, pulled back in September after pushing himself and picked back up around Thanksgiving.

“My elbow didn’t feel the best, but that’s just ramping up … trying to do too much,” Jameson said. “I picked up right after Thanksgiving. … Feels great.”

Veteran starter Merrill Kelly had the chance to work with Jameson at Salt River Fields while he rehabbed a teres major strain last year, which kept him on the injured list for three months.

“I know he was champing at the bit, me just spending three months here I can’t imagine what a whole year feels like,” Kelly said. “I feel like he handled it pretty well. I never really heard him gripe or complain about doing anything and got his stuff done. I know he’s been throwing cheese in the bullpen.”

Fans were eager to see the hurler back on the mound, some calling out “welcome back, Drey!” as he walked to the bullpen.

As the Diamondbacks evaluate various roster decisions throughout the spring, he’ll get the opportunity to prove himself as a relief weapon for a bullpen looking for depth, if all goes to plan.

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