ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

D-backs No. 5 starter contenders showing flashes, growing pains, Lovullo says

Mar 12, 2023, 10:00 AM

Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)...

Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

It’s no accident that Tommy Henry, Drey Jameson, Brandon Pfaadt and Ryne Nelson have been four of the five Arizona Diamondbacks pitchers to start multiple games at the halfway mark of spring training.

Manager Torey Lovullo told Arizona Sports’ Burns & Gambo on Friday that no decisions have been made regarding the final spot in the starting rotation, perhaps the most hotly contested camp battle this year.

Lovullo said each competitor has had up and down moments this spring. The winner is not necessarily whomever finishes camp with the best numbers.

“I think at different points of time, they’ve all done it where I’ve just walked away shaking my head,” Lovullo said. It’s a 3-2 slider from Drey Jameson that is unexpected and is a wipeout swing and miss. It’s Ryne Nelson with a high fastball he’s throwing by somebody. It’s Brandon Pfaadt with a two-pitch combination. It’s four pristine innings from Tommy Henry in his last outing.

“I think they’ve all had great moments, they’ve all had learning moments. We still haven’t made a decision as to which direction we’re going to go in. We just know we have some really good young pitchers in this camp.”

Henry had a big outing on Wednesday against the Texas Rangers in which he tossed four scoreless frames with three hits and three strikeouts. Pfaadt did not allow a run over his first two outings, nor did Jameson.

Lovullo said it has been years since the D-backs had this type of competition amongst young starters vying for a role. The D-backs had nine pitchers start at least four games last year with a mostly healthy rotation, so Arizona could count on all four young arms at some point.

“When and how and whom, we haven’t quite figured out yet,” Lovullo said.

Jameson will start Sunday against the Colorado Rockies at Salt River Fields, looking to rebound from allowing three runs in 2.2 innings last week.

Henry will throw on Tuesday against the San Francisco Giants.

Arizona Diamondbacks

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - OCTOBER 04: Tommy Pham #28 of the Arizona Diamondbacks scores ahead of Abner...

Arizona Sports

D-backs answer Brewers after early deficit in Game 2 of wild card

The Diamondbacks trailed 2-1 heading into the sixth inning but scored four runs in that frame to take a 5-2 lead.

11 minutes ago

Gabriel Moreno, Arizona Diamondbacks...

Arizona Sports

Catcher Gabriel Moreno exits Diamondbacks-Brewers wild card game after taking bat to head

Arizona Diamonddbacks catcher Gabriel Moreno took a bat to the head against the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 2 of the NL Wild Card.

1 hour ago

Jake McCarthy...

Alex Weiner

Diamondbacks’ Jake McCarthy out weeks, not days with oblique injury

Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Jake McCarthy suffered an oblique injury during batting practice before Game 1 of the postseason.

3 hours ago

Arizona Cardinals HC Jonathan Gannon...

Tyler Drake

Close it out! Cards’ Jonathan Gannon predicts defensive wild card win for D-backs

Defense wins championships, or in this case, National League Wild Card Series. Just ask Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon.

6 hours ago

General Manager Mike Hazen of the Arizona Diamondbacks watches batting practice during a postseason...

Wills Rice

D-backs extend general manager Mike Hazen through at least 2028

The Arizona Diamondbacks have extended Mike Hazen's contract on Wednesday, the general manager told Arizona Sports' Wolf & Luke.

9 hours ago

Ketel Marte...

Alex Weiner

Diamondbacks’ young bats and stellar defense complete Game 1 comeback vs. Brewers

Three home runs and a stellar bullpen outing allowed the Diamondbacks to win Game 1 of the NLWS against the Brewers.

21 hours ago

D-backs No. 5 starter contenders showing flashes, growing pains, Lovullo says