Adrian Del Castillo’s Injury Update
The Diamondbacks are likely to start the season without catcher/first baseman Adrian Del Castillo, who is currently sidelined due to a left calf injury. Manager Torey Lovullo mentioned on Monday that the 26-year-old will miss a significant portion of Spring Training (as reported by Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports). He will be evaluated closer to Opening Day, but it appears he may not have enough practice time before the season starts, leading to a potential stint on the injured list.
Catchers and Team Depth
Currently, Del Castillo ranks third on the catching depth chart behind Gabriel Moreno and James McCann. Del Castillo had a strong possibility of securing a bench position if he were healthy. Meanwhile, Tyler Locklear is also starting the season on the injured list due to elbow and shoulder surgeries. Del Castillo has significant experience as a first baseman and designated hitter, and with limited positional depth on the 40-man roster, several bench spots remain open.
Performance Struggles
Following an impressive 25-game debut two years back, Del Castillo faced challenges last season. He recorded 47 strikeouts in 131 plate appearances, resulting in a strikeout rate close to 36%, hitting .242/.290/.392 over 44 games. Despite having posted solid statistics throughout his minor league career, he has consistently struggled with swing-and-miss tendencies. Additionally, he is a below-average defensive catcher, which puts more pressure on his hitting if he primarily plays first base or DH.
First Base and Outfield Projections
Pavin Smith and Carlos Santana are projected to share duties at first base, while they are also expected to handle some DH responsibilities. Lovullo indicated that Ketel Marte would see time there in addition to his primary role at second base. The Diamondbacks are reportedly exploring the trade market for a utility player after trading Blaze Alexander to Baltimore in exchange for reliever Kade Strowd and a couple of minor leaguers.
Lineup Concerns
Concerns for the bottom half of the batting order escalate if Corbin Carroll begins the season on the injured list. Carroll, Arizona’s standout right fielder, is expected to miss a substantial part of Spring Training following recent surgery on a hamate fracture. It is hoped that he will recover in time for the regular season. Outfielder Alek Thomas is adapting to working mostly between left and center fields, anticipating Carroll’s typical position will be filled on Opening Day.
Looking Ahead
With a somewhat uneven lineup, the opportunities are significant for players to step up. The combination of Carroll, Marte, Moreno, and Geraldo Perdomo strengthens the upper half of the order. Meanwhile, Nolan Arenado may be reaching the later years of his career but is still expected to perform as a consistent third baseman. The lower third of the lineup remains uncertain, along with much of the bench.
Pitching Projections
Similar uncertainties surround the pitching staff. Key free agent returns Merrill Kelly and Zac Gallen are solidified in the rotation, with Kelly named as the Opening Day starter. Ryne Nelson is expected to claim a mid-rotation spot, while Lovullo has yet to confirm the remainder of the rotation. A competitive battle for two spots is underway among Eduardo Rodriguez, Brandon Pfaadt, and Michael Soroka. Rodriguez and Soroka are on the MLB roster, while Pfaadt could start the season in Triple-A.
