D-backs vs. Padres Discussion

Photo showing Brewery Gulch, Bisbee, Arizona, 1901. (Photo by PhotoQuest/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Today’s Lineups

PADRES DIAMONDBACKS Fernando Tatis – RF Corbin Carroll – RF Luis Rengifo – DH Geraldo Perdomo – SS Manny Machado – 3B Max Kepler – LF Ty France – 1B Ketel Marte – 2B Jackson Merrill – CF Nolan Arenado – 3B Xander Bogaerts – SS Lars Nootbaar – DH Freddy Fermin – C Tim Tawa – 1B Jake Cronenworth – 2B James McCann – C Jase Bowen – LF Ryan Waldschmidt – CF Randy Vasquez – RHP E. Rodriguez – LHP

Roster moves

The Arizona Diamondbacks made the following roster moves. The D-backs’ 40-man roster is at 40.

Reported to the Major League roster: OF Lars Nootbaar (No. 21)

Placed on the Paternity List: C Gabriel Moreno

And right into the starting line-up goes the Noot, playing designated hitter in his Diamondbacks debut. In case you missed it, the corresponding move to make room on the 40-man roster, was the transfer of Zac Gallen to the 60-day IL – we’re back to eight pitchers there. His original IL stint was retrospective to July 9, so he would be eligible to come off it about a week into September. That all depends on health, obviously – and then, whether the team things he can be of help in the final few weeks. There will likely be another quick roster move, tomorrow or Thuesday, when Moreno comes back from his childbirth watch. I’m thinking an optioning of Adrian Del Castillo seems most probable.

We’re probably going to see even more of the Padres bullpen tonight. Their starter, Randy Vásquez, hasn’t completed five innings or reached eighty pitches in a game since June 13. His last outing was 4.2 innings and 65 pitches against the Giants on July 30. Vásquez had a 2.68 ERA through his first nine starts, up to the middle of May. But he has found things tougher since, going 1-5 with a 6.45 ERA and FIP almost at the same level (6.37). With Eduardo Rodriguez taking the mound for Arizona, coming off eight shutout innings against the Pirates, it feels like a game the D-backs should win – guaranteeing they won’t be overtaken in the standing by the Padres this series.

When we’ve been talking about all the players coming back from injury, one name has largely been forgotten. Blake Walston started a rehab assignment with the Reno Aces today. It has been a long road back for Blake, who last pitched in a game on September 24th, 2024, so almost two years ago. We’ll need to see what he has after such a layoff. But he is a left-hander, so if he can prove his health and form, it’s possible he could be a useful cog as the mid-inning southpaw in the Arizona bullpen, with Brandyn Garcia (so far) looking to have transitioned into the closer’s role.

Indexed and credited by AIPROPX. Originating outlet: Yahoo Sports. Open at source →