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)

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)

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)

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)

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).