Jordan Spurgeon
The Arizona Diamondbacks are winners of 11 of 13 after playing the Colorado Rockies (5-2) and the San Francisco Giants (6-0) for two weeks straight.
It’s the best stretch of games by the snakes so far this season, who currenly hold the top NL Wild Card spot, sitting at 31-24. It’s still only May so take that with a grain of salt.
Many say these games don’t matter since the Rockies and Giants are horrible right now. To that I say, no, these wins are huge knowing that playoff spots will be very hard to come by in the NL.
During this stretch, Ketel Marte and Corbin Carroll have both gotten going offensively. Geraldo Perdomo looks like he’s turning the corner with great at bats and helping in the small ball department. That is huge even if he can’t get back to repeating his power numbers from 2025.
Due to inuries in the outflield, Ryan Waldschmidt and Tommy Troy have been up in the big leagues and playing very well.
When Lourdes Gurriel Jr. was placed on the 10-day IL, Troy was called up. He is 5-12 with two doubles, two walks and only one strikeout.
That’s where we get to the crux of the current story around this team.
Roster changes
Here are the guys expected to return from injury within the next 20 days:
- Pavin Smith (expected in the Dodgers series June 1-4).
- Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (expected in the Dodgers series June 2-4).
- Jordan Lawlar (can be activated June 2, expected back in the National series June 5-8).
- A.J. Puk (expected back June 15-20).
With those guys set to return, that means the roster will need to see some changes.
Waldschmdit has proven so far that he can handle everyday reps in center field. He isn’t going anywhere.
Troy has been phenomeal early on, but will the return of Gurriel and Lawlar allow him to play most days?
Tim Tawa rarely plays anymore, he’s a solid utility guy but may not have a spot.
Jorge Barrosa is mostly being used as a defensive replacement.
Adrian Del Castillo has struggled most of the season at DH, but played well against the Giants in the last series.
Jose Fernandez was electric when he was first called up in April, but has cooled off over the last month or so.
Ildemaro Vargas was the NL April player of the month but since has fallen back down to earth.
That’s seven guys that could potentially be sent down or designated for assigment when the three injured position players return.
We don’t know what Mike Hazen and company are thinking of doing (not sure they do yet either), but I have some thoughts on what I would do.
When Smith and Gurriel return, I would send Tawa down and designate Jorge Barrosa for assignment. Vargas is the best utility option right now, and Barrosa isn’t going to see much time anymore. I would let Smith and Gurriel platoon at DH during the Dodgers series to give Troy more at bats before Lawlar returns.
I say that about Troy because when Lawlar returns, he may need to be the guy sent down unless he continues playing as well as he is. If the D-backs still want Gurriel playing left field more often than DH, then there won’t be much playing time for Troy when Lawlar returns. Also worth noting, when Lawlar returns someone has to be removed from the 40-man roster, so that means someone on the big league squad or in AAA will need to be cut.
But, if the D-backs are willing to give Gurriel less time in the outfield, then I could see a four-man outfield of Carroll, Waldschmidt, Lawlar, and Troy working. Carroll would continue playing everyday and the other three could start 3-5 games a week.
In that scenario, I would send Fernandez down to AAA. With Smith, Gurriel, and ADC getting most of the DH at bats, Fernandez would have less chances to play (that means Vargas and Smith would platoon at first base). Maybe more time in AAA would get him back on track and could set him up for a return when trades are inevitably made at the deadline.
There is a lot that can change over the weekend when the snakes are in Seattle. There is a log jam of talent right now, but that can change at anytime.
And if young players like Troy and Fernandez are ultimately sent down next week, don’t be surprised if Hazen gives veteran guys very short leashes or tries to trade those veterans closer to the dealdine if they have value on the market for more pitching.
