Arizona Diamondbacks Spring Training Gameday Thread, #7 @ Kansas City Royals

Surprise! No, really: Surprise. That’s where the D-backs are playing once again today, returning to the scene of the recent victory over the Texas Rangers, to play the other inhabitants of the complex, the Kansas City Royals. The D-backs pitching has still left a bit to be desired, even though our ERA dropped down below seven yesterday – mostly because five of the ten runs allowed were unearned. Hooray for pitching! Boo for defense! That shoddy performance may be why Torey Lovullo was working with the infield defense this morning. Especially since just last week, this was being touted as a focus for 2026.

Other pitchers: RHP Yilber Diaz, RHP Tom Hatch, RHP Ryan Thompson, RHP Kade Strowd, RHP Junior
Fernandez, RHP Landon Sims and RHP Shawn Dubin. Our first look at E-Rod, whose importance to the team is certainly increased, if the Merrill Kelly injury lingers for long [so much for “minimal” concern, eh?] But we should at a look as several serious candidates for bullpen spots. Thompson and Strowd are potentially on the A-list, but I may be most interested in Diaz. He had a terrible case of the yips last year, and couldn’t throw a strike. But his winter ball numbers were considerably better: if he IS fixed, he could be a potential breakout candidate.

No broadcast of this game on the schedule, so might be quiet in here. 🙂