Ryne Nelson, Kyle Lewis Make Push for Opening Day Roster

Competing for the final roster spots, both Nelson and Lewis had an impressive game against the Rockies.

The competition for the final three or four roster spots continues to be intense, with Ryne Nelson and Kyle Lewis each having an excellent game in the Diamondbacks' 4-2 win over the Colorado Rockies. That will force the team to make some tough decisions within the next 12 days on who to include on the Opening Day roster.

With how tight the competition has been for the final rotation spot, a strong start was critical for Nelson. In his three previous Cactus League outings, he had trouble commanding his secondary pitches, especially the curveball. The D-backs No. 6 prospect was able to land his curveball and slider in the zone early in the count, keeping Rockies hitters guessing and made his mid-90s fastball play faster. 

"R. Nelson, I thought threw the ball as good as we've seen him this spring" said D-backs manager Torey Lovullo. "The fastball command continues to improve, it was probably the best we've seen it today. The breaking ball, and the shape of the breaking ball, was better and landing. Overall I thought it was a very good outing."

Lewis continues to swing the bat well this spring. He had three of the best at-bats of the game, opening with a 7-pitch walk followed by a pair of doubles to drive in three. Those two doubles were hit at 111 and 104 MPH. He's now 8-for-16 (.500) with three doubles, two home runs, and nine RBI in six games. Lovullo praised Lewis' approach at the plate, "It's good to see him on time, staying behind the ball, seeing pitches, just very impressive approach". Lewis made his first start in the outfield and finished the game in good shape, with a double off the wall as the only ball hit his way. 

Geraldo Perdomo had two hits, but his best swing was a home run that ultimately did not count. The home plate umpire signaled a pitch clock violation on Rockies pitcher Jose Ureña, but the pitch was thrown anyway. Perdomo would rip a line drive single on the very next pitch. Lovullo called the moment "frustrating" but then praised his young shortstop for quickly composing himself and getting a big base hit.

Kyle Nelson got some left-on-left matchups in the fifth, striking out Harold Castro and Mike Moustakas with sliders down and away to finish the inning. Lovullo is looking to get his relievers into matchups that may pop up later in the year. 

Luis Frias, who is one of five pitchers who could receive more opportunities to make the roster, entered the game in the sixth. He easily retired the two right-handed hitters he faced, but both lefties recorded singles. 

Andrew Chafin entered the game with runners on the corners and two outs allowing a single to Zac Veen to score one of his inherited runners then walked Cole Tucker to load the bases before getting a strikeout to end the inning. He retired the only batter he faced in the eighth on a grounder back to the mound.

Zach McAllister finished off the eighth inning, with the first two batters reaching on a dropped pop up and a hit batter after a long at-bat. A groundout to second and a called third strike would strand both runners in scoring position.

Carlos Vargas retired all three hitters he faced in the eighth, including a terrific slider to freeze Nolan Jones for his only strikeout. The D-backs No. 20 prospect's fastball was 98-101 MPH. Vargas was hit with a pitch clock violation in the inning. Lovullo had a discussion with home plate umpire Jordan Baker about the violation, in which the ump said "It's Spring Training for us too". 

Updates

Lovullo revealed that Corbin Martin suffered a lat tendon tear and will be out months. Martin sustained the injury Wednesday against the Brewers. The extended absence will likely lead to a placement on the 60-day injured list, as reported by John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports.

Pavin Smith, who Lewis may be battling for the final spot in the outfield, is getting a couple days off due to fatigue.