ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

Get to know the D-backs’ 25-man roster for Opening Day 2019

Mar 28, 2019, 9:11 AM | Updated: 10:19 am
Arizona Diamondbacks' Nick Ahmed dives safely back to first base on a pickoff attempt by the San Francisco Giants during the fourth inning of a spring training baseball game Saturday, March 23, 2019, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson) Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Matt Andriese throws in the first inning during a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Diamondbacks' Alex Avila drives in a run with a sacrifice fly against the San Francisco Giants during the second inning of a spring training baseball game Thursday, March 14, 2019, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson) Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Archie Bradley works against Colorado Rockies' Trevor Story in the seventh inning of a baseball game Tuesday, July 10, 2018, in Denver. The Diamondbacks won 5-3. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Andrew Chafin throws against the San Diego Padres during the seventh inning of a baseball game Friday, April 20, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York) Arizona Diamondbacks' Jarrod Dyson tries to lay down a bunt against the Los Angeles Angels during the third inning of a spring training baseball game Thursday, March 21, 2019, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson) San Francisco Giants' Henry Ramos, right, slides toward a tag by Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Eduardo Escobar for an out on a stolen-base attempt at third base during the fourth inning of a spring training baseball game Saturday, March 23, 2019, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson) Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Wilmer Flores, right, turns toward first but holds up a throw after forcing out Cleveland Indians' Brandon Barnes at second base in the third inning of a spring training baseball game Thursday, March 7, 2019, in Scottsdale, Ariz. Indians' Yu-Cheng Chang was safe at first on the fielder's choice on the play. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson) Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Zack Godley, left, walks off the back of the mound as Milwaukee Brewers' Travis Shaw (21) runs the bases following a home run in the fourth inning of a spring training baseball game Friday, March 8, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki) RHP Zack Greinke
Greinke might be costly by making $35 million annually, but he's at least been reliable. The 35-year-old has pitched more than 200 innings in each of the past two seasons with nearly identical ERAs (3.20 , 3.21) and WHIPs (1.07, 1.08).  Greinke entered spring feeling the best he has since joining Arizona in 2016.

 (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images) Arizona Diamondbacks' Yoshihisa Hirano stretches between pitches against the Chicago Cubs in the eighth inning of a spring training baseball game Saturday, March 16, 2019, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson) Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Greg Holland throws against the Cincinnati Reds during the fourth inning of a spring baseball game in Scottsdale, Ariz., Monday, March 4, 2019. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson) OF Adam Jones

A Baltimore Oriole from 2008-18, Jones spent the offseason hoping for a long-term deal. It didn't come, so he hopes a one-year contract with the D-backs can turn into something more permanent. At 33 years old, he's not only still productive (.281/.313/.419 in 2018) but expected to be a veteran voice in Arizona's locker room.

(ArizonaSports.com / Kellan Olson) Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Merrill Kelly stretches after giving up a hit to the Los Angeles Angels during the third inning of a spring training baseball game Thursday, March 21, 2019, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson) Milwaukee Brewers second baseman Travis Shaw crosses the plate in front of Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Carson Kelly, left, following a solo home run in the fourth inning of a spring training baseball game Friday, March 8, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki) Arizona Diamondbacks reliever Matt Koch watches a pitch to a Colorado Rockies batter during the eighth inning of a baseball game Thursday, July 12, 2018, in Denver. The Rockies won 5-1. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) FILE - In this July 20, 2018, file photo, Arizona Diamondback' Jake Lamb plays third base against the Colorado Rockies during a baseball game in Phoenix. With key players still on the roster and new players who should fill at least some of the void, the Diamondbacks are hoping to compete for a playoff spot even with one of baseball's best players on a new team.
(AP Photo/Darryl Webb, File) RHP Yoan Lopez

The 26-year-old made 10 appearances as a September call-up last season. He threw his first nine without allowing an earned run before getting tagged for three scores in his final outing of the year. There might be a learning curve in 2019, but his fastball that averaged 97 mph and his slider along with it could be an intriguing new piece to the bullpen as 2019 begins.

 (Photo by Thomas B. Shea/Getty Images) Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte blows a bubble during the fourth inning of the team's spring training baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels on Thursday, March 21, 2019, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson) Arizona Diamondbacks catcher John Ryan Murphy, left, congratulaTes starting pitcher Robbie Ray as he waits to be pulled form the mound after walking Colorado Rockies' Chris Iannetta in the sixth inning of a baseball game Thursday, July 12, 2018, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) Arizona Diamondbacks' David Peralta gestures skyward as he heads home on his solo home run against the San Francisco Giants in the third inning of a spring training baseball game Saturday, March 23, 2019, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson) Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Robbie Ray throws to the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning of a baseball game Thursday, Aug. 30, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) INF Ildemaro Vargas

After Steven Souza Jr. went down with a leg injury, Vargas got the nod to replace the outfielder on the 25-man roster. Although he was one of those cut on Sunday, Vargas provided a spark for the D-backs throughout spring training. The infielder ranked among the top MLB leaders in spring training in hits (22), average (.367) and OBP (.397). In 26 games over two seasons with the D-backs, Vargas averaged .308 at the plate with 4 hits, four RBIs and four runs scored.

(Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) Arizona Diamondbacks' Christian Walker races to third base on his triple against the San Francisco Giants in the second inning of a spring training baseball game Thursday, March 14, 2019, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson) Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Luke Weaver pauses for a few moments before throwing against the San Francisco Giants in the third inning of a spring training baseball game Thursday, March 14, 2019, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson) Arizona Diamondbacks' Steven Souza Jr. is congratulated after scoring against the Chicago Cubs in the first inning of a spring training baseball game Saturday, March 16, 2019, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

The Arizona Diamondbacks placed reliever T.J. McFarland and outfielder Steven Souza Jr. on injured lists Thursday, the final moves to lock in a 25-man Opening Day roster.

Those moves mean Arizona has retained slugger Christian Walker as a bench option, kept three catchers and called on infielder Ildemaro Vargas to take the last roster spot vacated by Souza, who suffered a season-ending knee injury on Monday.

McFarland will go on the 10-day injured list after a shoulder injury pushed his spring preparation back. Arizona also placed Souza on the 10-day injured list despite his significant injury. That effectively should move infielder Ketel Marte to earn some playing time in the outfield after he spent spring training working as a center fielder.

Silvino Bracho and Taijuan Walker, both of whom underwent Tommy John surgeries, are on the 60-day injured list.

Thirteen players from last year’s Opening Day roster return for the D-backs, not including those on the injured list.

Arizona opens the 2019 season Thursday at 1:10 p.m. on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station in Los Angeles to face the Dodgers.

Here is a breakdown of which players are on the 25-man roster for the D-backs to start the year. Details on each player’s past can be found in the slideshow above.

Starting pitchers

RHP Zack Greinke (ace)
LHP Robbie Ray
RHP Zack Godley
RHP Luke Weaver
RHP Merrill Kelly

Bullpen

RHP Matt Andriese
RHP Archie Bradley (setup)
LHP Andrew Chafin
RHP Yoshihisa Hirano (setup)
RHP Greg Holland (closer)
RHP Matt Koch
RHP Yoan Lopez

Catchers

Alex Avila
Carson Kelly
John Ryan Murphy

Infielders

Nick Ahmed
Eduardo Escobar
Wilmer Flores
Jake Lamb
Christian Walker
Ildemaro Vargas

Outfielders

Jarrod Dyson
Adam Jones
David Peralta
Ketel Marte

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Get to know the D-backs’ 25-man roster for Opening Day 2019