D-backs set Opening Day roster

LOS ANGELES -- The D-backs officially set their 25-man roster Thursday morning with infielder Ildemaro Vargas taking the place of injured outfielder Steven Souza Jr.

“It’s the first of many, many tests that a baseball season offers you,” D-backs manager Torey Lovullo said of Souza’s season-ending injury, which occurred Monday night. “Sometimes those tests tear teams apart. Sometimes they make it strong. I know this group is sticking together right now. These guys are prepared to go and keep moving forward. That’s very pleasing to me. But we’re not going to forget about Steven, that’s for sure. He’s going to be on our mind all year long.”

Vargas gives the D-backs coverage at second, short and third in the infield, which frees up Ketel Marte to play more center field, which in turn allows Adam Jones to play right field in place of Souza.

Marte is still likely to be the team’s primary backup at shortstop with Jarrod Dyson manning center at those times.

There were no major surprises with the roster, however right-hander Matt Andriese was considered a long shot to make the roster heading into camp. Outing by outing, however, he continued to pitch well, and in the end beat out left-hander Marc Rzepczynski for the final spot on the pitching staff.

CATCHERS
Carson Kelly
Alex Avila
John Ryan Murphy