With 11 wins in their last 16 games, the Diamondbacks now have a 50-48 record and sit just a few percentage points behind the Mets for the final NL wild card spot. A number of teams remain in the mix in the crowded National League, but this hot streak shows that the reigning NL champions are finding their form despite several injuries during their first rotation.
Arizona general manager Mike Hazen said on July 1 that he hopes his club will be in a position to add instead of subtract at the deadline, and the Diamondbacks' strong play over the past three weeks has paid off for their general manager's belief. With the D'Backs now looking much stronger as a contender, Hazen told reporters (including Steve Gilbert of MLB.com and Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic) yesterday that “from now on, the calls we are making, we are looking to add talent to the team.”
Where the D'Backs might focus their acquisitions remains unclear, as Hazen said “like to be able to pinpoint bullpen needs, position-player fits somewhere, and just go with that.” The limited roster may depend, of course, on how healthy the rotation looks at the July 30 deadline, as Jordan Montgomery, Eduardo Rodriguezagain Merrill Kelly all are still on the injured list.
Montgomery is the closest to a comeback, having thrown 56 pitches in three innings in Thursday's mock game. This points to the southpaw to be placed on the 15-day injured list during Arizona's series at Kansas City that begins Monday, although manager Torey Lovullo has not officially said that was the team's plan. Montgomery hasn't pitched since June 27 due to right knee inflammation, and looks to bounce back from this IL position and turn around a rough season, as the lefty has a 6.44 ERA in his first 65 2/3 innings and 13 starts. with the D'Backs uniform.
Rodriguez and Kelly are both close to returning sometime in August, and both pitchers are scheduled for bullpen sessions today. Hazen said “everything was good” with the duo as of late, and they could move on to facing hitters after both Saturday's bullpen and next week's throwing session.
Assuming Montgomery is indeed back for the Royals series, he will rejoin the D'Backs' ace rotation. Zac Gallen, Brandon Pfaadt, Ryne Nelsonand the rookie Yilber Diaz. Nelson has improved as the season has progressed and Diaz has looked sharp in his first two MLB starts, and as a result Arizona could go from a lack of rotation depth to surplus later in the season if everyone returns healthy and effective. . These are decisions Hazen must weigh as the deadline nears, as on paper, trading another starter seems like a logical hedge against the uncertainty the Diamondbacks still face with their starting lineup.
“Long run will still be something I'll check out regardless if it's more years of control because I feel it's worth it,” Hazen said. “We should always look at our rotation a few years down the line. I think if I feel more confident when Monty comes back again [Kelly and Rodriguez] are just around the corner, I probably won't stress it that much. But I don't know. Depending on whether Nelly and Yilber continue to bowl well, that will have an impact on how this goes..”
Hazen also announced that the D'Backs would be leaving Slade Cecconi in a bullpen role throughout the season, which may be less a sign of Arizona's confidence in its future rotation depth than an indication of Cecconi's lackluster results as a starter. Cecconi has started 13 of 14 Major League games this season, posting a 6.14 ERA over 66 innings.
It's no surprise that the rookie is having a tough time in his first appearance against big league hitters, and if nothing else, Cecconi has eaten up innings for a D'Backs team that has often struggled to fill holes in the rotation. His new role will also be to close the innings somewhat, as Hazen said if Cecconi is sent back to Triple-A, the right-hander will serve as a shortstop to help the bullpen rest.
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