The 5: Arizona Diamondbacks options for September call-ups

PHOENIX — The Arizona Diamondbacks can make their September call-ups on Sunday, as major league rosters expand to 28 players — no longer 40.

Clubs cannot carry more than 14 pitchers, so typically one hitter and one pitcher will make their way to the big league club. Center fielder Alek Thomas, top prospect Jordan Lawlar and pitching prospect Cristian Mena remain on the injured list with Triple-A Reno and will not be options at the start of September.

There are layers to Arizona’s decisions, as Ketel Marte and Christian Walker are nearing a return from the 10-day injured list. Walker is ahead of Marte in progression, but Lovullo said next week is more likely than this weekend to get one of his sluggers back.

He did not shut the door on the idea, however.

“They might be the one guy … That’s a little bit quicker than what I just got done telling you, but we have some names we’ve thrown around, both position player and pitcher-wise,” Lovullo said.

Pitching wise, Lovullo said he is looking for someone to fill in for multiple innings for coverage.

5 Diamondbacks options for September call-ups

This list won’t include Walker or Marte to highlight a handful of options in Triple-A Reno who could add depth to the club, even if for a brief stint. Once both Walker and Marte are back, then the D-backs would have to pluck someone currently on the MLB team.

OF Jorge Barrosa

Barrosa made his MLB introduction in April, playing three games for the Diamondbacks after Thomas suffered a hamstring injury. Barrosa has also dealt with an injury-marred season having spent two stints on the IL with hamstring issues, although he has been playing since July 1.

The 23-year-old is Arizona’s No. 20 prospect on MLB Pipeline.

How he can help: There are only two healthy position players on the 40-man roster currently playing in Reno, and Barrosa presents a switch-hitting, standout defensive outfielder with speed for pinch running. He has a lot of traits for a useful bench piece with the additional roster spot, even with Arizona’s busy outfield. He is slashing .276/.374/.438 with six homers and nine steals with the Aces (89 games).

INF Blaze Alexander

The Diamondbacks optioned Alexander on Aug. 20 to bring in veteran infielder Luis Guillorme to help fill in at second base for Marte.

Alexander jumped out to a hot start after an impressive spring training, producing a .941 OPS in April while bringing an infectious energy to the clubhouse. His bat quickly cooled (.501 OPS in 39 games since May 1) as the league made its adjustments. He has crushed fastballs but struggled to hit offspeed, especially sliders. Alexander has spent most of the second half in the minor leagues.

How he can help: Alexander has extreme platoon splits in the majors and minors, and with the Diamondbacks missing three quality right-handed batters, Alexander offers a bench bat to throw at southpaws. He has worked at shortstop, third base and second base with more success defensively than a error-filled first three weeks to start the season.

RHP Yilber Diaz

Diaz is one of the last lines of defense in case the club deals with any more starting pitcher injuries, so perhaps that is where he is best served. But that said, he is throwing the ball very well in Reno and has been since his option on July 29.

In his last start, Diaz struck out 13 batters (22 whiffs) with one earned run in 6.2 innings. In August, Diaz has a 2.82 ERA and 29 strikeouts with four walks in 22.1 innings.

His MLB cup of coffee was mostly a positive experience. Diaz, who overcame overwhelming odds just to become a pro ball player, allowed two earned runs through 12 innings over his first two starts. Diaz made four appearances for the D-backs with a 4.05 ERA. The 23-year-old is Arizona’s top pitching prospect on MLB Pipeline.

How he can help: Diaz has limited his walks lately and has intriguing tools to be a quality depth arm for a club that does not have as many reliable relievers as anticipated. Diaz can ramp up the fastball to the upper 90s mph, and his slider has devastated Triple-A bats. There’s just the risk of losing him as starting depth if he does not stay stretched out.

Arizona also has lefties Tommy Henry and Blake Walston as starting depth on the 40-man roster.

RHP Slade Cecconi

Cecconi moved into a bullpen role starting in the middle of July after his tendency to get through the opposing order very effectively the first time (.427 opposing OPS) before falling off (1.178 OPS the second time through).

The D-backs relied on the 25-year-old to start games due to injuries over the first half of the season, and he had a 6.14 ERA before getting sent down and changing roles.

He has spent most of the second half in Reno, where he has 27 strikeouts and five walks in relief for the Aces. The D-backs called him up briefly at the end of July, although he allowed multiple runs in consecutive relief appearances and was sent back down.

How he can help: Cecconi can give Arizona multiple innings, and now that he is relieving, his stuff can ramp up to an upper 90s fastball with the slider. Like Diaz, Cecconi has exciting tools to work with despite his lack of consistency this season.

RHP Scott McGough

The veteran McGough only has 29 MLB innings this year but with a grisly 6.83 ERA and 6.10 FIP. In Triple-A (30.1 innings), McGough has a 3.86 ERA, although he has allowed five earned runs in his last 2.1 innings.

How he can help: McGough can give the D-backs multiple innings in low-leverage situations.

The Diamondbacks also have Humberto Castellanos and Logan Allen pitching in Reno, but they are not on the 40-man roster.

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