D-backs finalize Opening Day roster

PHOENIX -- After much debate back and forth, the D-backs elected to carry 15 pitchers and 13 position players on their 2022 Opening Day roster, which they announced Thursday morning.

The pitchers include: Madison Bumgarner, Merrill Kelly, Zach Davies, Caleb Smith, Zac Gallen, Ian Kennedy, Mark Melancon, Humberto Castellanos, Corbin Martin, Sean Poppen, Noé Ramirez, Luke Weaver, J.B. Wendelken, Joe Mantiply and Oliver Pérez.

The position players include: Sergio Alcántara, Seth Beer, Drew Ellis, Jose Herrera, Ketel Marte, Cooper Hummel, Carson Kelly, Jake McCarthy, David Peralta, Geraldo Perdomo, Pavin Smith, Daulton Varsho and Christian Walker.

By deciding to keep 15 pitchers instead of 14, it allowed the D-backs to carry Poppen, Martin and Castellanos where it seemed only two of those three would have made the roster otherwise.

Castellanos, Martin and Weaver have all been stretched out as starters this spring so they can give multiple innings, which will likely be needed with the shortened spring limiting how deep starters can initially pitch into games.

Shortstop Nick Ahmed, third baseman Josh Rojas and outfielder Jordan Luplow open the season on the 10-day injured list while right-hander J.B. Bukauskas will start on the 60-day IL. Ahmed's injury left the D-backs thin at the shortstop position, with No. 8 prospect Geraldo Perdomo moving into the starting lineup. To compensate, the D-backs acquired Alcántara from the Cubs in the last week of Spring Training.

They further added depth Thursday by acquiring infielder Yonny Hernandez from the Rangers in exchange for outfielder Jefferson Espinal. Hernandez was optioned to Triple-A Reno while Humberto Mejia was designated for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster for Hernandez.