PHOENIX -- More than 25 players deserve to make the Diamondbacks' Opening Day roster, Chief Baseball Officer Tony La Russa said after spring games ended Saturday, and so the final few decisions will bump up against Sunday's noon deadline.
The D-backs made one move immediately after their spring-ending 5-1 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Saturday afternoon, finalizing their pitching staff when Andrew Chafin was named to his first Opening Day roster as the second left-hander/long reliever in the bullpen.
Chafin was in competition with Robbie Ray, Vidal Nuno and Enrique Burgos for the final bullpen spot. Ray and Nuno were optioned to Triple-A Reno and are expected to be in the rotation there, along with Allen Webster. Nuno was scratched from his scheduled start Saturday because he was involved in trade discussions with Texas, as FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reported. La Russa said after the game nothing seems likely on that front, but "people can change their mind."
Burgos has been a one-inning reliever in his career, making him a longer shot because the D-backs made it clear they were looking for another pitcher capable of going multiple innings, in addition to Randal Delgado and Daniel Hudson.
"We like the versatility of Chafin," La Russa said. "He can come in there and get an out or two, or he could pitch extended innings. He's competitive. H's durable."
The D-backs did not want to stunt Ray's development by putting him in the bullpen, where it would be harder to get regular work.
"We're excited about him being a top of the rotation starter," La Russa said. "We thought it was more important for him to get the ball every five day. I think he could have handled (relief), but if you have an alternative. What we envision for him is being a dynamite starter."
The D-backs will open the season with Hernandez and pitchers Patrick Corbin, David Hernandez, Matt Stites and Bronson Arroyo on the disabled list. David Hernandez could return as early as May, and Corbin is expected back in June. Stites did not pitch in spring training after feeling soreness in his left elbow in pre-camp workouts.
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