With 11 wins in their last 16 games, the Diamondbacks now have a 50-48 record and are just percentage points behind the Mets for the final NL wild card berth. Despite a crowded National League, this hot streak suggests the reigning NL champions are finding their form, even as they navigate multiple injuries within their starting rotation.
Arizona GM Mike Hazen stated on July 1 that he hoped his club would be in a position to add rather than subtract at the trade deadline. The Diamondbacks’ strong play in the last three weeks has justified his belief. With the D-backs now more firmly looking like contenders, Hazen told reporters, including MLB.com’s Steve Gilbert and Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic, that “as of now, the calls we’re making, we’re looking to add talent to the team.”
The specific areas the D-backs might focus on are yet to be determined. Hazen mentioned he would “love to be able to target down the needs to bullpen, position-player fit somewhere, and just go with that.” A more focused list of needs will depend on the health of the rotation by the July 30 deadline, as Jordan Montgomery, Eduardo Rodriguez, and Merrill Kelly all remain on the injured list.
Montgomery is the closest to returning, having thrown 56 pitches over three innings in a simulated game on Thursday. This positions him to be activated from the 15-day injured list during Arizona’s series in Kansas City beginning Monday, though manager Torey Lovullo has not confirmed this plan.
Montgomery is the closest to returning, having thrown 56 pitches over three innings in a simulated game on Thursday. This positions him to be activated from the 15-day injured list during Arizona’s series in Kansas City beginning Monday, though manager Torey Lovullo has not confirmed this plan. Montgomery hasn’t pitched since June 27 due to right knee inflammation and is looking to return and improve upon his rough season, marked by a 6.44 ERA in his first 65 2/3 innings and 13 starts for the D-backs.
Rodriguez and Kelly are both tentatively set to return in August and are scheduled for bullpen sessions today. Hazen reported that “everything has been good” with both pitchers recently, and they may advance to facing hitters after Saturday’s bullpen session and another throwing session next week.
If Montgomery indeed returns for the Royals series, he’d rejoin a rotation that includes ace Zac Gallen, Brandon Pfaadt, Ryne Nelson, and rookie Yilber Diaz. Nelson has shown improvement as the season has progressed, and Diaz has impressed in his first two career MLB starts. Thus, Arizona might shift from lacking rotation depth to having a surplus later in the season if everyone returns healthy and effective. These are the decisions Hazen must weigh as the deadline approaches, as trading for another starter still seems like a logical hedge against the uncertainties with their current rotation.
“Long-term starting pitching is still going to be something I’m going to explore no matter what if it’s multiple years of control because I feel like we have to,” Hazen said. “We always have to look out for our rotation a couple of years down the line. If I feel very confident when Monty comes back and then (Kelly and Rodriguez) are right around the corner, I probably would not place as much emphasis on it. But I don’t know. If Nelly and Yilber keep throwing the ball really well, that’s going to impact how this goes.”
Hazen also announced that the D-backs would move Slade Cecconi into a bullpen role for the rest of the season. This decision likely reflects Cecconi’s unimpressive results as a starter more than confidence in the forthcoming rotation depth. Cecconi has started 13 of his 14 Major League games this season, posting a 6.14 ERA over 66 innings.
It isn’t surprising that a rookie would struggle in his first extended look against big league hitters. However, Cecconi has at least provided some innings for a D-backs team frequently scrambling to fill rotation spots. In his new role, Cecconi will work as a long reliever if recalled from Triple-A, helping to give the bullpen some respite.
For all the latest updates on the Arizona Diamondbacks throughout the rest of the season, stay tuned.
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