SCOTTSDALE -- Down the stretch they come.
The remade Diamondbacks began spring training with questions at almost every position group, most notably the starting rotation, the middle infield and the assimilation of Cuban emigre Yasmany Tomas.
A month into camp, the picture has cleared only slightly, which could be considered a good thing, especially in the starting rotation, where the competition seems to be bringing out the best in a host of candidates.
Regardless, the D-backs are in no hurry to set their roster for the April 6 opener.
"You don't want to make that snap decision, whether it is a starting pitcher or a position player," D-backs manager Chip Hale said. "Let it play out to the last week. We have time."
The position player group still hinges in large part on Tomas' position, third base or left field. At the time Tomas signed his $68.5 million contract, the D-backs suggested that it might be in Tomas' best interest to open the season in the minor leagues, but that does not seem likely as he continues to hone his play at third.
"I don't want to go there," Hale said. "Guys read about it and then they freak out."
Tomas had two doubles, a homer and two RBI while hitting .243 in his first 37 at-bats, and the D-backs like what they have seen at the plate, even if most of Tomas' power has been to center and right center.
"He's been fine," Hale said. "When hitters use the opposite field like he does, Jim Thome comes to mind. When he came to the big leagues, he didn't pull anything. This guy knows how to pull the ball. We've seen it in international competition. He'll do it. I'm very happy with his at-bats. He's been a good two-strike hitter, which I don't think we all expected.
"He's been very impressive."
A mid-camp update:
Josh Collmenter and Jeremy Hellickson are set in the rotation, although only Collmenter's slot as No. 1 starter has been defined. While things remain fluid, Rubby De La Rosa, Chase Anderson, Trevor Cahill, Robbie Ray and Allen Webster seem the most likely of the remaining candidates to get the final three jobs, although Daniel Hudson, Archie Bradley and Randall Delgado are in the mix.
Cahill has adapted well to his new, more over-the-top delivery, and he still carries quality stuff, led by his moving two-seam fastball. Anderson, who is working on a two-seam fastball, is the only starter who has gone as many as five innings in this camp, doing so Thursday afternoon in a minor league game.
Ray and De La Rosa have power arms, the reason they were bought in. Ray, only 23, continues to refine his curve ball. When it comes as a complement to a mid-90 mph fastball and changeup, his repertoire will be complete. De La Rosa threw 18 pitches at 95 mph or higher in his start Thursday night. Ray and Webster stepped up in their last turn through the rotation, keeping the competition heated.
Hudson will be on a pitch count if he makes the rotation out of spring training, Hale said, so the fact that he has gone only two innings in each of his three appearances is not an issue. He and Delgado are expected to make the team in some capacity; Delgado has no options remaining and certainly would be claimed if the D-backs attempted to send him through waivers.
Health is an issue here. Closer Addison Reed has not pitched this spring because of shoulder soreness and is scheduled to make his first appearance March 24. It remains to be seen if that will be enough time for him to get ready for the April 6 opener; the D-backs will not rush him.
Brad Ziegler is scheduled to make appearance in a spring training came Sunday; again, it remains to be seen if that gives him enough time to prepare, although the D-backs believe it will. If Ziegler makes his usual 75 appearances this season, it may be best to limit his spring work, anyway.
Matt Stites also has been delayed by shoulder soreness, and his availability for the season opener also is uncertain. David Hernandez is expected back in May.
Some jobs seem set. Oliver Perez, Evan Marshall, Delgado and perhaps Hudson appear locks for the seven-man bullpen, and Matt Reynolds is on track while recovering from Tommy John surgery. Andrew Chafin and Vidal Nuno are long-relief candidates. Enrique Burgos throws in the high-90s, but he seems a long shot since he has not played above high Class A Visalia. Right-hander A.J. Schugel has impressed scouts with five scoreless innings. He has given up one hit and one walk.
Tuffy Gosewisch is set to handle a bigger role at catcher this season.
Tuffy Gosewisch and Gerald Laird have received the most time behind the plate in spring, which seems as good an indicator as any about the pecking order at the position. Jordan Pacheco, Blake Lalli and Peter O'Brien also are in camp.
The main thing to remember is this -- this position will be filled with defense in mind. The D-backs believe they will have plenty of offense with Paul Goldschmidt, Mark Trumbo, Tomas and A.J. Pollock, among others, in the lineup. The team wants a catcher whose main priority is getting the most out of the staff's young arms.
Gosewisch has drawn good reviews in his two seasons with the D-backs as a guy who can do that. Laird, a 12-year veteran who played for Tony La Russa in St. Louis, also has impressed the D-backs with his ability to handle a staff. Laird has not had more than 200 plate appearances since 2010.
"You always wonder how many games a guy can catch for you," Hale said. "He looks fresh."
Pacheco has played second base, third base and caught in spring training, and he is an option for the 13th position player job because of his versatility.
Tomas' position has a lot to do with this, and the D-backs do not appear any closer to making a decision on that, although Hale did say Thursday that Tomas could be used at third base and in the outfield.
Call Tomas a third baseman for now. Not much else has changed. Paul Goldschmidt is set, and Aaron Hill, Chris Owings and Nick Ahmed are in the running for the two starting midfield infield spots, with Cliff Pennington a lock as a multi-positional reserve. Hill reported to camp lighter than he was last season, and Owings' shoulder has not been an issue after his October surgery. Owings will play second base or shortstop, with Hill/Ahmed at the other spot.
The determining factor could be the D-backs' desire to have Ahmed play every day. Ahmed, 25, had 70 at-bats with the D-backs last season after hitting .312 at Reno.
"Nick is making a good strong run at that shortstop position," Hale said.
"It's important to have a guy who makes all those plays like he does. He's swung the bat very well. We don't want to bring him along and expect him play once or twice a week. He needs to play. He's young enough and we think that highly of him that he does need to play. If he is not our starting guy here or at least going to play five out of seven, then he probably is going to start in the minor leagues. There is no talk of that right now."
Third baseman Jake Lamb's roster chances could depend on Tomas' usage. If Tomas plays third and the outfield, Lamb could make the team as the other third baseman, although Pennington and Hill have played there. Third baseman Brandon Drury has been the biggest surprise in camp, hitting well and adapting to second base, but he is caught in a numbers game.
The outfield is full without Tomas. Trumbo has looked natural while making the shift from left field to right, and center fielder A.J. Pollock will be the leadoff hitter, Hale said the other day. Without Tomas in left field, it could be a mix-and-match trio of David Peralta, Ender Inciarte and Cody Ross. Inciarte is the second center fielder and could be a second leadoff man.
Ross appears to be back to his old self, and the D-backs believe he can be a factor off the bench and as a platoon alternative against left-handers. The NL West has its share of those -- Clayton Kershaw, Madison Bumgarner, Jorge De La Rosa, Brett Anderson and Hyun-Jin Ryu.
"We have good outfielders," Hale said.
If the D-backs come to the seemingly unlikely conclusion that Tomas is only an outfielder, one of the youngsters could be sent out. Both have options.
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