D-backs welcome 3 new faces in clubhouse
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CHICAGO -- A trio of new faces made their way around the D-backs' clubhouse Tuesday afternoon, one day after a busy Trade Deadline.
The D-backs acquired infielder Adam Rosales from the A's on Monday, and he found himself not only in the starting lineup Tuesday, but hitting third. He went 2-for-5 with two RBIs, a lone bright spot in Arizona's 16-4 loss to the Cubs.
"To get the call and know that we're in a playoff race right now with the Arizona Diamondbacks is really cool," Rosales said before the game. "I've heard nothing but great things about these guys, just a lot of solid leadership on this team already, from what I've seen. I'm going to fit in wherever the team needs me. I feel like that's where I'm really valuable. That's the kind of player I've been for the last 10 years or so -- I'll play wherever you need me to play, do whatever you need me to do and bring some good energy to the team."
Rosales figures to see significant time at short with Ketel Marte on the bereavement list following the death of his mother in a traffic accident Sunday in the Dominican Republic.
Jack Reinheimer, who was called up from Triple-A Reno on Tuesday to take Marte's place, might also see some time. This is the first stint in the big leagues for Reinheimer, who is ranked as the D-backs' No. 25 prospect by MLBPipeline.com.
Reliever David Hernandez, who the D-backs picked up from the Angels on Monday, was not unfamiliar to most in the room, having played for the D-backs from 2011-15.
"I was pretty excited," Hernandez said of his reaction when he found out he'd been traded. "I followed these guys since I was gone to see how they're doing. They're playing some good baseball right now, and I'm just trying to help. I hope they were just as happy as I was to see them. It's good to see these guys, especially as they've matured and gotten better over the last year, year and a half."
Hernandez has evolved as a pitcher as well, scrapping his changeup for the most part and sticking with a fastball, curveball and slider/cutter, the latter of which has helped him get more ground-ball outs.
D-backs manager Torey Lovullo said Hernandez would likely see action in the sixth and seventh innings, with Archie Bradley entrenched as the eighth-inning guy and Fernando Rodney the closer.
Showing support
D-backs general manager Mike Hazen joined a contingent of front-office members, including team president/CEO Derrick Hall, in traveling to the Dominican Republic to attend the funeral of Marte's mother Tuesday.
Roster move
To make room for Hernandez, right-hander Silvino Bracho was optioned to Triple-A Reno.