Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images No more meaningless baseball! The news that Jordan Montgomery would be getting Tommy John surgery necessitated a late change today, with Arizona’s starting pitcher instead being Brandon Bielak, signed as a free-agent earlier this month. He went 3.2 innings in his unscheduled spot start, allowing two runs on two hits, with no walks and a pair of strikeouts. Shelby Miller tidied up the fourth inning, before scoreless frames from Ryan Thompson and a trio of relievers, all called Kyle: Messrs Nelson, Backhus and Amendt. The last-named was probably the most impres ..read more

Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images Welp The Jordan Montgomery situation has just resolved itself, albeit in the most unfortunate way possible. The pitcher said this morning that he will be having Tommy John surgery, a procedure which means a) he won’t pitch for the D-backs this year, and b) there’s no chance of getting salary relief by trading him to another team. The pitcher said: Just haven’t been recovering very well. Day after that last game, came back sore, took a day off like I normally do. Next day, it was still a little achy, so we pushed my bullpen back. Threw a prett ..read more

Crystal Ball. | Photo by H. Armstrong Roberts/ClassicStock /Getty ImagesInspiration. Every spring, Jim McLennan asks the writers at AZ Snake Pit to predict wins for the upcoming season. I make an honest effort (with a pinch of optimism) to reach an accurate prediction. But prediction is hard. Last spring, my predicted wins was 87.5. I wasn’t optimistic enough (89 actual wins)! On the other hand, it may have been just luck because my prediction was based on my predicted runs scored (761 predicted vs 886 actual) and runs allowed (719 predicted vs 788 actual). Can I do better this season? The Pre ..read more

Rob Schumacher/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images The Diamondbacks’ Opening Day roster has come into focus. What do you think? Diamondbacks News Corbin Burnes’ meticulous routine leads DBacks to alter rotation by Nick Piecoro [AZ Central] “The reason why I’m here today and the pitcher I am is because of those routines,” Burnes said. “And I brought that up (to the organization). I said, ‘The reason I’m here, the reason you guys signed me, the reason you guys gave me this contract is because of this process and that routine. Is that something we want to change the first start of ..read more

Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images Hello, Chase. We've missed you It wasn't a winning return to Chase Field for the Diamondbacks. Indeed, they were shut out until the ninth inning, when they scored three times and had the tying run on base with one out. Arizona were not able to push it across Druw Jones going down on three consecutive swinging strikes to end the game. The offense had not done much to that point, managing only three at-bats with a runner in scoring position. All came after Gabriel Moreno's leadoff double in the fifth. Matters weren't helped by three double plays, two off the bat o ..read more

Photo by Rob Tringali/MLB Photos via Getty Images Hello, Chase Field! Diamondbacks line-up K. Marte, 2B C. Carroll, RF L. Gurriel Jr., LF E. Suarez, 3B P. Smith, 1B G. Moreno, C R. Grichuk, DH J. McCarthy, CF G. Perdomo, SS + LHP Eduardo Rodriguez, and LHP A.J. Puk, RHP Kevin Ginkel, RHP Justin Martinez, RHP Bryce Jarvis Broadcast Radio: on ESPN 620 with Chris Garagiola & Tom Candiotti in English and on Latino Mix 100.3 with Oscar Soria & Rodrigo Lopez in Spanish Television: through Dbacks.tv, with Steve Berthiaume alongside Bob Brenly and Todd Walsh on the field Notes Get used to ..read more

Photo by Jessica Tobias/MLB Photos via Getty Images Strike while the iron is hot! And hopefully, the D-backs... Every weekend throughout the regular season, we open the doors of the ‘Pit to any member as a guest recapper, who can cover the game from their own unique perspective. You do the recap of the game as a Fanpost, however you want. It can be light-hearted or not; stats-heavy or not, detailed or atmospheric - it’s all about your own voice. One of the editors then takes it, adds the bells and whistles like roll-calls and Fangraphs and it will appear on the front cover of the SnakePit. It ..read more

Photo by Zac BonDurant/Getty Images What remains to be decided? As the team heads back to Chase Field for the final two exhibition games, the Opening Day roster is coming into shape. The starting rotation has been set, while the starting position players have - touch wood! - made it through spring training without significant problems. There are still a couple of spots remaining to be decided, but there are strong indications as to who will be getting those positions. So I feel moderately confident in posting what I think will be announced as the Opening Day roster in a couple of days. Startin ..read more

Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images Hello, home field! Recaps [AZ Central] Ketel Marte, Eugenio Suarez finish Cactus League with a bang - Marte blasted his first home run of the spring in the first inning and added two more hits, finishing 3-for-3 on the day. He went 4-for-4 on Friday in Maryvale and had another hit in his final at-bat of his last game before that, giving him hits in eight consecutive trips to the plate. Marte finished his Cactus League season with a .368/.413/.491 line with two doubles, a triple, a homer and four walks. Suarez finished last season with a red-hot final three mo ..read more

Gallen gets his grip on the baseball while staring directly into the camera In which we discuss Gallen, the Tokyo Series, and more! Gallen is the Opening Day starter. Are you surprised? Brett (DbacksDispatch): I’m personally not too surprised, Gallen has been this teams ace the last few years and with this potentially being his final year as a Snake so it seemed like the most likely outcome. Burnes can have the opening day spot next year if Zac does find a new home for 2026 and beyond. Spencer: No. From the beginning of Spring he was on a typical track to start on opening day. Good for him. I ..read more