D-backs nearing final staff after latest roster cuts
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- The Diamondbacks made a pair of cuts Saturday morning and the latest moves push the team closer to finalizing its Opening Day pitching staff.
Zack Godley was optioned to Triple-A Reno while fellow righty Kevin Jepsen was released before the D-backs' 7-4 loss to the Angels in Tempe.
With eight days left until they start the season, the D-backs are down to 16 pitches in camp for 12 spots.
The starting rotation of Zack Greinke, Taijuan Walker, Robbie Ray, Shelby Miller and Patrick Corbin was set Friday. The order after Greinke still is to be determined.
In the bullpen Fernando Rodney, Randall Delgado and Archie Bradley are locks.
Veteran non-roster right-handers J.J. Hoover and Tom Wilhelmsen have done just about all they could thus far and appear to have locked up roster spots.
"We're drilling down to a final number," D-backs manager Torey Lovullo told MLB.com. "We still have a lot of conversations to have internally about which direction we want to go in and we're going to get some more looks at some guys and finalize a decision here in the coming days. We're not going to wait until the last day."
That would leave two spots open with Andrew Chafin, Silvino Bracho, T.J. McFarland and Jorge De La Rosa in contention. Jake Barrett and Steve Hathaway are still in camp but neither will be ready for the April 3 opener.
