Delgado just fine with bullpen role + Notebook!
Dbacks 2014 Spring Training Coverage
By: Joe Jacquez
Scottsdale- The signing of Bronson Aroyo means that the Dbacks rotation barring any major injuries is set with Patrick Corbin, Wade Miley, Brandon McCarthy, Trevor Cahill, and Bronson Aroyo making up the starting pitching for Arizona in 2014. That means that guys like Archie Bradley and Randall Delgado are odd men out for rotation spots. Delgado was competing for the fifth spot and he did start in 2013 performing pretty well. However with the addition of the veteran Aroyo, Delgado appears headed for the bullpen and he is just fine with that.
Kevin Towers has said that on field performance during spring training not service time or contracts but the five starters listed above are likely starting and the Dbacks 21 year old prospect Archie Bradley is ahead of Delgado regardless. Unlike Bradley, Delgado doesn’t have any minor league options left and the Dbacks dont want to loose him so putting him in the bullpen would be the best option. Delgado would love to start, but he is fine with having a role on this team. "If they decide to send me to the bullpen it’s OK. I don’t have a problem with that," he said. "My job is just trying to pitch and get the outs. That’s it."
The Dbacks hope they can create another Josh Collmenter scenario to help the bullpen improve in 2014. Delgado loves being an Arizona Diamondback and wants to be with his team not matter what role he is in. "I feel pretty good (about remaining a Diamondback) if it’s a starter or a reliever, I don’t care," he said. "I just try to make good adjustments and then just pitch as hard as I can."
The Dbacks are glad to have Delgado’s arm and stuff in the bullpen and who knows if a big injury happens the Snakes have a lot of depth and options which include Delgado. Depth in the starting rotation is what Arizona wanted and that is what they have.
Dbacks Spring Notebook: Day 15
Sen McCain drops by at Dbacks Camp!
Scottsdale- John McCain has always been a big Diamondbacks fan so it was surprise to seem him stop by for Thursday’s spring workouts at Salt River Fields."He’s a baseball fan," Gibson said. "It was an interesting conversation with him. He’s very decorated, and I respect what he does in service of our country. It was interesting to get the time to share a few words with him. He’s very passionate about what he does." McCain who attends many regular season games sat atop a tower with Gibby and watched simulated action.
Daniel Hudson is just ready to get back on the field!
Scottsdale- Daniel Hudson’s name is left off any discussion for the rotation something that was unheard of two years ago. A 16 game winner in 2011, Hudson had Tommy John surgery in 2012 and missed all of 2013. The Dbacks non-tendered him and he is just ready to have an opportunity in 2014 no matter what the role is. "At this point I don’t really care what role I have when I come back, whether it’s pitching mop up innings when a starter can’t get out of the third or fourth inning," he said, adding that he’d hope it never comes to that (for the team’s sake, not his). "Whether it’s that role or whether I pitch in the seventh, eighth or ninth — whenever they need me — I really don’t care at this point." Hudson was great for the Dbacks when he started, but the team has so much depth there might not be a spot for him. I would like to see him get a chance.
Gibson shares thoughts on instant replay!
Scottsdale- The MLB expanded instant relay in 2014 giving managers two challenges and expanded plays that can be called. Dbacks manager Kirk Gibson is entering his fourth season as a major league manager and shared his thoughts on the system. "Personally for me, I can live with the old system. I like the human element," Gibson told Doug and Wolf Thursday on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM. "It puts accountability on us all. But at the same time, that’s where the game has decided it wants to go." Even though he is fine with the old system, he does see it as a positive. "We’ve made a lot of good decisions in the game over the years and they’ve been good for the game. This one can work too," he said. "I know they don’t want (the game) to get bogged down where we’re sitting and looking at replays all the time. I think they’ll have a quick fashion to resolve it. They’re virtually going to review these plays, is my understanding — it’ll be going on before I even go out there to dispute it."
Charles Brewer hopes to make team as the hometown kid!
Scottsdale- Last season Charles Brewer made his historic debut becoming the 92nd player to debut from Arizona and the first to debut after being drafted by the Dbacks. He got to play in the majors with the team he grew up rooting for living in Phoenix as a kid and that was obviously special for him. Now he hopes to grab a spot possibly in the bullpen with the team for a full season which would obviously be a dream come true. There probably isn’t a spot for him, but it would be a great story if he got the opportunity.
Snake Bites 