Wednesday, March 26

Welcome to the D-backs Beat newsletter! I’m Steve Gilbert, and I’ve been writing about the D-backs since 1998. Let's get right to it …

Two of the Diamondbacks’ roster moves drew some attention this past week when infielder Jordan Lawlar and right-hander Drey Jameson were optioned to Triple-A Reno.  

Lawlar is the Diamondbacks' top-ranked prospect, but he did not seem to have a clear path to playing time coming into the spring. Shortstop is Lawlar’s primary position and Arizona signed shortstop Geraldo Perdomo to a four-year, $45 million extension early in camp. 

After missing significant time last year due to injury, Lawlar went to the Dominican Republic to play winter ball where he saw time at shortstop and third base. But third base is occupied by veteran Eugenio Suárez, who is in the final year of his contract.  

Combine all that with All-Star Ketel Marte locked in at second base and the best Lawlar could hope to get from a playing time standpoint was a couple of games a week and the Diamondbacks preferred that he continue to get regular at-bats in the Minors instead.

While in Reno, manager Torey Lovullo said that Lawlar will see playing time at third, short and second.

Jameson’s situation was a little more nuanced. He is coming back from Tommy John surgery, which cost him all of 2024 and part of '23, and he had thrown the ball well this spring, touching 100 mph on the radar gun.

Jameson was competing for a bullpen spot and the team wants to make sure that his arm is fully built up before having him pitch in the big leagues. That’s because with a team like the Diamondbacks, who are expected to be competing for a spot in the postseason, every game counts. So a reliever like Jameson would need to be available to sometimes throw in back-to-back games or two games in three days. 

While the competitor in Jameson would no doubt say he’s available to pitch, Diamondbacks GM Mike Hazen said it would be unfair to put Jameson in that spot right now.  

“He’s going to be on our team at some point this year,” Hazen said. “I’m very confident in that. I think ultimately we feel like his best suited role is probably in the 'pen. We feel like he’s had more success in the 'pen.”

Hazen confirmed that some teams have inquired about starter Jordan Montgomery, who is locked in a duel with Brandon Pfaadt and Ryne Nelson for the fifth spot in the rotation. 

“When you’ve gotten to this stage of Spring Training and you have multiple starter options, I think it's natural that teams that don't have the same starter options going out of the chute that you're going to field of inquiries for sure,” Hazen said. “I'm assuming that they’re going to continue as we go through Spring Training.” 

Montgomery exercised his $22.5 million player option for 2025 at the conclusion of last season. It was reported by multiple outlets that the Diamondbacks looked to trade Montgomery during the offseason especially after signing Corbin Burnes to a six-year, $210 million deal in December. 

Arizona State University head football coach, Kenny Dillingham, who spoke to the Diamondbacks this spring, will throw out the ceremonial first pitch when the D-backs host the Cubs for Opening Day on Thursday.  

ASU quarterback Sam Leavitt, wide receiver Jordyn Tyson, defensive back Xavion Alford and defensive lineman C.J. Fite will also be on the field for the first pitch. 

The ASU football team captivated the Valley last fall as they won the Big 12 Conference title and participated in the College Football Playoffs. 

Dillingham was invited by Lovullo to address the team early in camp and the two hit it off, spending more than two hours talking in Lovullo’s office. 

• American Idol star and Gilbert, Ariz., native McKenna Breinholt will sing the national anthem.

• Luke Air Force Base Honor Guard will be there and there will be a flyover from Luke. 

• Rally towels will be given away to the first 20,000 fans courtesy of AZ Complete Health. 

The Diamondbacks will have several new food items at Chase Field this year, includig Filthy Mac Fries, S’mores Nachos, an 18-inch Grand Slamwich and Sonoran Beef Nachos.

• Zac Gallen got the Opening Day nod over Burnes in what was an agonizing decision for manager Lovullo.

• Montgomery pitched well as he tries to claim the No. 5 spot in the rotation.

• What tier are the Diamondbacks in when it comes to postseason contenders?

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