Where we look at info about Jordan Lawlar possibly getting OF reps, D-backs on the recovery trail, and an ABS poll.
Game Recaps
Snakes drop series opener to Orioles [Dbacks.com]
Zac Gallen, Diamondbacks begin homestand on ugly note with loss to Orioles by Alex Weiner [Arizona Sports]
Diamondbacks outfielder Jake McCarthy went 0-for-3 and is now 0-for-22 to begin the season. He tied Domingo Leyba (2021) for the most at-bats without a hit to start a campaign in club history, per Stathead.
On a brighter note, Arizona’s bullpen put together another strong day of work, especially Ryne Nelson.
Nelson tossed three perfect innings, only needing 31 pitches to do so. Ryan Thompson delivered 1.1 scoreless innings.
Zac Gallen Struggles in Arizona Diamondbacks’ Sloppy Loss to Baltimore Orioles by Michael McDermott [SI]
One start after the knuckle-curve generated 13 swings-and-misses, it only generated one on three swings. The other two swings were extra-base hits by Ryan O’Hearn, who homered and doubled against Gallen on the night.
Diamondbacks News
Diamondbacks want to ensure time is right for Jordan Lawlar promotion by Nick Piecoro [AZ Central]
Once they determine he is ready, things could happen quickly. Team officials have talked conceptually about letting Lawlar play the outfield if a need arises there. They have talked about pushing others out of the way to make room for him.
They just want to be as certain as possible that the time is right. They are hoping the next time they bring him up it will be the last.
Ketel Marte and Other Diamondbacks’ Updates from Torey Lovullo by Jack Sommers [SI]
Kendall Graveman (back strain) and Kevin Ginkel (shoulder inflammation) will each throw bullpens on Tuesday, targeting 20 to 25 pitches. Lovullo did not know yet if or when they will go on rehab assignments.
Three Takeaways from D-backs’ Disappointing Series vs Nationals by Alex D’Agostino [SI]
But each one of these arms struggled in a common way: the first inning. Pfaadt allowed two runs in the first. Rodríguez allowed three. Burnes allowed two, with a run each in the second and third.
It’s not as if Arizona’s starters are pitching poor starts on the whole, they’re simply getting lit up early. Whether that’s related to approach, location, or simply the aggressive nature of the Nationals’ hitters is unknown, but it’s a trend that will need to sort itself out if the D-backs want to contend in 2025.
Early trends from the Arizona Diamondbacks’ opening 10 games by Alex Weiner [Arizona Sports]
Alek Thomas and Pavin Smith also off to promising starts
Thomas — who never got going at the plate last year due to hamstring issues — is likewise off to a promising start. Thomas has only played in six games because he is splitting time with Jake McCarthy in center field, in which time he’s 8-for-21 (.381) with two doubles and a triple.
Smith, having to fill in a key role as the designated hitter against righties, is batting .350 in nine games, delivering two hits on Sunday.
Around the League
Poll: Automated Ball-Strike System in MLB by Nick Deeds [MLB Trade Rumors]
After years of fans and people around the game alike advocating for it, the automated ball-strike system was implemented in big league Spring Training this year. That was widely believed to portend its arrival in the majors, which MLB commissioner Rob Manfred all but confirmed in an interview published yesterday where he suggested that the system could be in regular season games as soon as the 2026 season, pending approval from the MLBPA. With that being said, Manfred suggested that the details of how ABS is implemented into the majors could wind up being collectively bargained. If that’s the case, its implementation could be delayed until after the upcoming CBA negotiations following the 2026 season.
What Vlad Jr.’s mega deal means for the Blue Jays — and other takeaways by Will Leitch [MLB]
3. No, the Dodgers don’t just get everyone – Recent offseasons, especially this past one, have led to a sense among some that the Dodgers were just picking and choosing from the cupboard, able to bring in every player they want. But Vlad Jr.’s contract — given by a team that is not usually one of the top spenders in free agency — is just the latest example of a superstar who not only remains out of the Dodgers’ reach, but never makes it to the open market at all.
Many current stars are in fact tied to their current teams, the teams they came up with, for the next decade. Pending option decisions, Ronald Acuña Jr. can be under contract with the Braves through 2028, Corbin Carroll with the D-backs through 2031, Julio Rodríguez with the Mariners through 2034 and Bobby Witt Jr. with the Royals through 2037. And now Vlad Jr. will be tied to the Blue Jays through 2039.
Chase Hollander Discusses His Arsenal by David Laurila [FanGraphs]
Chase Dollander made his much-anticipated debut with the Rockies on Sunday afternoon, allowing seven hits and four runs over five innings and earning his first big league win. Ranked no. 12 on our Top 100 Prospects list this spring, the 23-year-old right-hander fanned six, walked one, and surrendered a pair of home runs as Colorado outscored the Athletics 12-5 at Coors Field.
Bizarre injuries, comebacks — and a whole lot of winning: What we’ve learned so far about the Dodgers by Alden Gonzalez [ESPN]
Roki Sasaki might be more of a work-in-progress than expected
A clip of Sasaki seemingly on the verge of tears from the top step of the Dodgers’ dugout on March 29 made the rounds on social media.
Sasaki had recorded only five outs against the Detroit Tigers, 10 days after recording only nine outs against the Chicago Cubs. Through his first 4⅔ innings in the major leagues, he had walked nine batters. Fastball command was elusive. His splitter and slider weren’t generating enough chase. Just as prominent to evaluators, he looked nervous. Scared, even. Some of those who spent years watching Sasaki in Japan could hardly recognize him. The entire industry knew that Sasaki, still only 23 years old, required seasoning before establishing himself as a top-of-the-rotation starter. But it seemed as if he needed even more than many anticipated.
Question of the Day
So, Lawlar might get looks in the OF. Could our athletic SS prospect make a position switch to the outfield like newly-extended Jackson Merrill in San Diego? Will one of our every-other-day center fielders take charge and claim the position? Or will Druw Jones finally make it up either due to his bat coming around or as a lack of other viable options?