D-backs players excited about Jones' arrival
Greinke sharp vs. Rangers; Arizona makes 14 cuts in camp
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- The news that the D-backs had signed outfielder Adam Jones was received with lots of smiles in Arizona's clubhouse.
“I’m pretty excited,” first baseman Jake Lamb said. “I think he helps our team a lot. I think a veteran like him in this environment, in this clubhouse, I think he’s going to do nothing but help us. It’s going to be huge to have him.”
Outfielder David Peralta was excited to begin picking Jones’ brain.
“He’s going to be great for us,” Peralta said. “He’s been around a long time, and I’m looking to learn from him. I know he can help me to get better at everything. I’ve been watching him play, and he’s one of the best, so I’m very excited about that. I’m happy that he’s on our side, because I know he’s going to help us a lot.”
Veteran catcher Caleb Joseph played with Jones in Baltimore from 2014-18, and says all the stories about Jones being a great teammate are true.
“He’s a top five teammate for me,” Joseph said. “Brings a great personality. Nothing fazes him. He’s been through just about everything, won just about every award. I believe this could be his best year to date. I really do. Considering the circumstances in terms of the way free agency for him went, I think he’s going to be very excited to prove that a lot of folks missed out on his services and being able to join a young, competing club that he can impact immediately not only in the clubhouse, but on the field, I think that is super exciting for him. The Diamondbacks just got a lot better by adding Adam Jones.”
Greinke sharp
Ace Zack Greinke had his finest outing of the spring Tuesday night against the Rangers, as he allowed only one hit and a walk while striking out six in 4 2/3 scoreless innings. His fastball reached 91 mph.
“I don’t know what it was exactly,” Greinke said of his velocity. “But the swings on my fastball were not great, so I felt good about that. Location was great, everything felt really good.”
The game was called due to rain before Greinke could finish the fifth, so he went down to the bullpen to throw an additional 12 pitches before calling it a night.
"Great outing for Zack,” D-backs manager Torey Lovullo said. “The fastball command, the fastball velocity, probably exactly where he wants it. Looks like he’s in midseason form for me, and his secondary stuff is perfect. He’s exactly where he needs to be.”
D-backs make cuts
The D-backs made 14 roster moves Tuesday, reducing the number of players in camp to 47.
Taylor Clarke, Kevin Cron, Domingo Leyba and Joel Payamps were optioned to Triple-A Reno. Bo Takahashi and Emilio Vargas were optioned to Double-A Jackson.
Ryan Atkinson, Jazz Chisholm, Jon Duplantier, Kevin Ginkel, Wyatt Mathisen, Daulton Varsho, Taylor Widener and Andy Young were reassigned to Minor League camp.
Dyson on the mend
Outfielder Jarrod Dyson (strained left oblique) thinks he could return to game action later this week, which would put him on track to be ready for Opening Day.
Meanwhile, left-hander T.J. McFarland (shoulder inflammation) will be re-examined Wednesday.
Up next
The D-backs play the Rockies on Wednesday afternoon at Salt River Fields at 1:10 p.m. MST. Matt Andriese is scheduled to start for Arizona. As a result of Tuesday night’s rainout, it’s possible that some of the pitchers who were scheduled to throw in that game, such as Yoan Lopez, could throw in relief Wednesday.