Opening Day in LA for the Arizona Diamondbacks

It’s one of the best days of the year… MLB Opening Day.

The Arizona Diamondbacks open with a three game set in Los Angeles against the back-to-back World Series champion Dodgers.

It’s now year 10 for manager Torey Lovullo, and he’s in a contract year looking to prove he can get this team back to the postseason.

It will be an uphill battle. Injuries from 2025 are still lingering in 2026.

Here’s a few key storylines to follow with this team over the next few weeks.

Who is coming back when?

Merrill Kelly dealt with back discomfort early in Spring Training after being named the Opening Day starter. After being pushed back a few weeks, he opens the season on the IL. He’ll make a rehab start in AAA Reno on April 3, so he’s expected to be back with the club sometime during an east coast road trip between April 7-15.

Lourdes Gurriel Jr. is in great shape just seven months after his torn ACL. He is starting to take live at bats. General Manager Mike Hazen says they will throw him back out there once he can prove he can play in the outfield more than once or twice a week, even though he should be able to DH plenty.

A.J. Puk is the first big name in the bullpen that will be back. The timeline for him is still unclear, but early in spring he said he believes he can be throwing in the big leagues some time in May or early June. He’ll solve the issue of not having a lefty or trusted closer in one swoop.

Corbin Burnes is back throwing mini bullpen sessions, but isn’t going to be back until early July or near the All-Star break.

Justin Martinez is expected back until August. How soon in August depends on how well (or not well) this team is doing.

Will the offense still lead the way?

Since 2023, the D-backs have consistently had a top-5 offense in baseball.

Corbin Carroll, Ketel Marte, and Geraldo Perdomo lead the charge and this offense goes as they do.

Nolan Arenado and Carlos Santana bring better defense to this team. A bump in production on offense closer to their primes would ensure this team is still elite at the plate.

The X-Factor is Jordan Lawlar. The former top prospect has yet to see consistent at bats in the big leagues. Now it appears he has the opportunity to play everyday in left and center field. If his bat comes around and mirrors what he’s always done in the minors, then this offense will at times be unstoppable.

There are lots of ifs, but if one or two consistently happen, then this team is in great shape.

Who will step up in the rotation?

It’s no secret that everyone (except Ryne Nelson) was a disappointment in the rotation in 2025.

Many think that Zac Gallen, Eduardo Rodriguez and Brandon Pfaadt will continue to regress. But what happens if they all take a step forward this year? Or even if two of them do?

Zac Gallen gets the Opening Day nod. He’ll have a chance to earn momentum if he can keep the Dodgers at bay.

Ryne Nelson gets game two.

Eduardo Rodriguez gets game three.

Also worth noting. The first two starts for Pfaadt and Michael Soroka will carry a ton of weight. One of them may need to be sent to the bullpen when Kelly comes back. Pfaadt also still has a minor league option left so if he struggles, he could be sent down.