D-backs option pair, reassign 7 others

PEORIA, Ariz. -- The D-backs made their first roster cuts of the spring with catcher Oscar Hernandez, who spent the entire 2015 season with the team as a Rule 5 pick, being optioned to Class A Visalia.
Hernandez was selected out of the Rays' organization in the 2014 Rule 5 Draft after spending the previous season in the Class A Midwest League.
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The D-backs knew he would be overmatched at the plate, but liked his superior defensive skills and wanted to keep him in their organization so they found a way to carry him as a third catcher in 2015.
A broken hand kept him on the disabled list for half the season and he managed only 31 at-bats over the final three months.
"I don't think it was a lost year," D-backs manager Chip Hale said. "It was just a lost year of at-bats. He learned a lot about himself. He learned he can catch in the big leagues as a defender. So we're all excited to see where he starts -- A ball, AA wherever they decide is best for him -- and to get after it and get 500 at-bats and see how he looks."
Others cut
Right-hander Dominic Leone was optioned to Triple-A Reno while pitchers Matt Buschmann, Jose Cisnero, Miller Diaz, Will Locante, Adam Miller and Matt Stites were reassigned to Minor League camp.
"With 39 pitchers, especially, we have to start thinning out because there's just not enough innings for guys to pitch," Hale said.
Catcher Ronnie Freeman was also reassigned to Minor League camp.
Good stuff, tough results
D-backs right-hander Archie Bradley, who is competing for the No. 5 spot in the rotation, allowed three runs on seven hits over 2 2/3 innings in Monday's 10-8 win over the Mariners, but he said he felt like he threw the ball better than he did in his first outing when he worked two shutout innings.
"The ball was coming out of his hand really well," Hale said. "I think overall for both sides this was one of the harder days to pitch. The wind is blowing out, the infield was rock hard. I thought this was as good as I've seen Archie throw. It was a tough day to pitch."