D-backs faced with last-minute roster decisions
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PHOENIX -- The D-backs aren't quite set when it comes to their 25-man roster for Thursday's Opening Day against the Rockies at Chase Field.
An injury to right fielder Steven Souza Jr. caused the organization to have to reconfigure the roster on the fly, as did the acquisition over the weekend of infielder Deven Marrero.
D-backs manager Torey Lovullo is notoriously close to the vest when it comes to lineups and he hasn't announced what his will look like on Opening Day, but we took an educated guess as to what it could be.
Here's a look at that lineup, along with other information you'll want to know for Opening Day:
Projected Opening Day lineup
1. David Peralta, LF
- A.J. Pollock, CF
- Paul Goldschmidt, 1B
- Jake Lamb, 3B
- Ketel Marte, 2B
- Alex Avila, C
- Jarrod Dyson, RF
- Nick Ahmed, SS
- Patrick Corbin, P
Key roles
• The D-backs have not announced which of the candidates for the closer's role -- Brad Boxberger, Archie Bradley or Yoshihisa Hirano -- has won the job. Regardless of who is chosen, however, it is likely that one of the others will also pick up the occasional save.
• With Souza opening the year on the disabled list, Jarrod Dyson figures to get the bulk of the playing time in right against righties with Chris Owings facing lefties. While they aren't expected to make up for Souza's offense, the D-backs are counting on Dyson and Owings to play good defense and contribute offensively.
• Throughout the spring, Lovullo has seemed to favor Peralta at the top of the order with Pollock hitting second, despite the fact that Peralta seemed to hit better in the No. 2 spot last year. Peralta does bring energy and the D-backs need him to get on base ahead of Pollock, Goldschmidt and Lamb.
Injury Updates
• Souza injured his pectoral muscle while diving for a ball last week. Exactly how long he will be out has not been determined, but Lovullo did say he would be surprised if Souza were not back on the field by mid-May at the latest.
• Reliever Randall Delgado (left oblique) threw a bullpen session recently and appears to be back on track. A key part of the bullpen, Delgado is not expected to miss a lot of time.
• Right-hander Shelby Miller (Tommy John surgery) began throwing bullpens during camp and could be back sometime in late June or July.