Diamondbacks keeping pace early in the season

The 11-8 Diamondbacks are back home today, following a successful 6-3 road trip on the east coast.

“If you would’ve told us we would be 11-8 at this point with all the guys we have missing, all of us would’ve been for it,” Paul Sewald said in the clubhouse ahead of Friday’s game against the Toronto Blue Jays. “Especially after an east coast trip like that. Taking two of three games in each series is hard to do in this league.”

Torey Lovullo agrees. Especially when you consider this team started 0-3 against the Dodgers to open the season.

Only the Padres have more wins (12) since March 30.

It’s a small sample size, so this stretch may not signify much.

The snakes are 10th in team ERA (3.85) in MLB and 15th in runs scored. 

Whether this stretch is sustainable remains to be seen. The bullpen has had its moments, both good and bad. But would you have guessed that Paul Sewald is tied with Padres closer Mason Miller for the most saves with six?

That’s the truth, for now.

Looking past the early season results, here are some storylines to follow as the D-backs open up an eight game homestand.

Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and others are back sooner than later

Torey Lovullo says that Lourdes Gurriel Jr. has been saying he is ready to play since Spring Training opened.

The medical staff of course shot that down, since ACL surgery recovery is not something to be rushed.

But, after playing back-to-back games in AA, the right handed slugger is making his way back to Arizona. It’s possible he’s in the starting lineup Saturday and/or Sunday.

Lourdes Gurriel to the MOON! 🤩#EmbraceTheAnimal pic.twitter.com/fF0sCLioZH

— Amarillo Sod Poodles (@sodpoodles) April 17, 2026

As for his role:

“We’ll see,” Lovullo said on whether or not Gurriel will see more time at DH than in left field. “Because he’s coming back so soon, we want to get him in the outfield and see how his body reacts.”

A few other guys could be back sooner rather than later.

Gabriel Moreno is dealing with an oblique injury, but Lovullo and staff don’t anticipate the usual 4-6 week IL stint associated with similar injuries. Moreno is working out and aiming to be back after a minimal stint on the IL.

Pavin Smith had elbow surgery today to remove some bone spurs. There is no timetable for his return.

Brandon Pfaadt to the bullpen

When Merrill Kelly returned from the IL in Baltimore, it was announced that Brandon Pfaadt would head to the bullpen.

He is yet to get into a game in this capacity, but is soaking in his time hanging out in the bullpen.

“It’s a little different,” Pfaadt said. “But it’s a good opportunity to grow from and have a different perspective.”

Brandon Pfaadt talks about his move to the bullpen.

Says the plan is to still try and stay stretched out at this point.

Has talked with Ryne Nelson about how he’s handled this role in the past. pic.twitter.com/ryOuVQ2IM0

— Jordan Spurgeon (@spurge_) April 17, 2026

Both Pfaadt and Lovullo mentioned Ryne Nelson’s similar path in 2025 and how they’re relying on that gameplay to make this a successful transition.

He is still effectively the sixth starter, so the plan is to keep him stretched out as long as possible in case anyone in the rotation goes down. 60 pitch outings seem to be the ideal situation, but that’ll depend on the outcome of games.

“The goal is to win, and I love our bullpen as it is right now,” Lovullo said. “But if there’s a day where Brandon says ‘I got this’ and the other seven guys can take a day off with him finishing a game, I’m all for that.”

Waiting on stars to heat up

It’s only a 19 game sample, but who would’ve guessed that the three most consistent hitters to start the season would be Corbin Carroll, Ildemaro Vargas, and Jose Fernandez? Okay Carroll is expected to be there, but you get the gist.

Vargas is on a 12 game hit streak to open the season, he’s the first player to do so in franchise history. 

Fernandez has forced his way into basically being an everyday player, with 15 hits in 49 at bats, and plenty of them in clutch moments.

Carroll may be in the MVP conversations by the time May ends. His power is slowly coming along after his hamate injury in spring training.

Ketel Marte and Geraldo Perdomo are off to slow starts, hitting .211 and .194 respectively.

That explains the reasoning for the D-backs being middle of the road in runs scored at this point.

Again, it’s a small sample size and there’s plenty of time for these two to get going and for this offense to show it’s a top five in all of baseball.

The season is young, but there are plenty of signs that point to this team hanging in there as reinforcements come in. That’s the mission until the All-Star break. Three games above .500 is not a bad spot to be in.

But, there is also plenty of time for the wheels to fall off the track…