Tommy Henry Makes Case for Final Rotation Spot

Looking to earn the final spot in the Opening Day rotation, Henry threw 4.2 scoreless innings against the Kansas City Royals

Left-hander Tommy Henry had an opportunity to put himself ahead in the battle for the final spot in the Opening Day rotation today. Facing a split-squad Royals lineup of exclusively right-handed hitters, Henry pitched 4.2 scoreless innings on two hits, three walks, and three strikeouts in a 13-2 win.

Henry had trouble getting ahead in the count in the first two innings, throwing a first pitch strike to only three of the first eight hitters and walking three. He recovered nicely in his final three innings, jumping ahead of six of the final nine hitters with three strikeouts. Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said Henry threw the ball very well.

The D-backs had an impressive showing at the plate. Nine of the first 11 balls they put into play against Royals starter Zack Greinke were hit at least 95 MPH, with six of them hit over 100 MPH. Arizona sent 14 batters to the plate in the second, scoring 10 runs and making Greinke look very uncomfortable.

"It was a good day, we scored 10 runs off somebody like Zack Greinke. We're staying on the baseball, we're doing a lot right, and we just had some really good at-bats" said Lovullo. "Several stand out, but their middle of the field approach and nobody trying to do too much. It was just a good effort offensively, especially in that 10-run inning." 

Despite going hitless, Kyle Lewis put together three impressive at-bats against Greinke. He flied out to deep center in his first at-bat, which Statcast registered as a barrel. In his next two at-bats, he worked a full count before reaching on a hit by pitch and a walk. Lovullo said Lewis "looked great, it's pretty much full stride" when running the bases. The plan is for him get tomorrow off, then get another start in the field on Tuesday. 

Ketel Marte, playing in his first game since the Dominican Republic was eliminated from the World Baseball Classic, lined a double down the right field line in what was a 10-run second inning. He also added a swinging bunt in the third that advanced Josh Rojas to third after a leadoff double, an important play after Greinke balked on a pickoff attempt to third base. He was also the runner at second that drew three pickoff throws that forced a balk. 

Nick Ahmed had a solid all-around showing today. Ahmed had two hits, including a home run off his former teammate, a walk, and made a highlight reel catch to rob Robbie Glendinning of a base hit in the fifth on Henry's final pitch. Based on the exit velocity and launch angle, that ball had an expected batting average of .960.

Jeurys Familia got the final out of the fifth, but it took three batters to get it. After jumping ahead 1-2, Familia walked Samad Taylor then allowed a bloop single to Maikel Garcia. A ground ball to short finished the inning, although it was a close play at second.

Andrew Chafin pitched a scoreless sixth. After retiring the first two hitters on a groundout and a flyout, Dairon Blanco sliced a line drive down the right field line for a double. Chafin finished off the inning by striking out Fermin on sliders.

Cole Sulser pitched a 1-2-3 seventh inning with a pair of strikeouts. He allowed a double to the first batter he faced in the eighth. Jesse Biddle came on and loaded the bases, but got out of the inning with a pair of strikeouts.

Scott McGough closed out the ninth and was greeted with a base hit. After a strikeout, McGough induced a ground ball to shortstop for a potential double play, but it was mishandled. Gavin Cross and Nick Loftin, two of the Royals' top 4 prospects according to MLB Pipeline, singled and doubled to put up two runs on the board. McGough's day ended after another strikeout. Tyler Ferguson induced a fly ball to left for the final out of the game.

Updates

Reliever Corbin Martin will undergo surgery on his right shoulder after suffering a torn lat tendon. Lovullo is doubtful that Martin will return this season. One study published in the National Library of Medicine found that pitchers that undergo surgery have an average return time of 406 ± 146 days, but see no decline in their secondary performance metrics. 

The D-backs appear to have dodged a bullet with Gabriel Moreno, as the catcher is doing fine and continues to be day-by-day after getting hit in the finger by a pitch in yesterday's game.  

Outfielder Jake McCarthy is still showing flu-like symptoms. He was originally scratched from the lineup Friday and has not returned. Lovullo said they want McCarthy to be asymptomatic before returning to the complex.

The D-backs have a logjam with their starting rotation, with Madison Bumgarner and Zach Davies both throwing on the 16th. Merrill Kelly is one of the potential candidates to start the WBC championship on Tuesday should Team USA defeat Cuba tonight. With Team USA's 14-2 win over Cuba, Kelly will be starting the WBC championship game against the winner of the Mexico vs. Japan semifinal.

Brandon Pfaadt was re-assigned to minor league camp, as part of a series of roster moves today. Pfaadt pitched well this spring, allowing just five runs in 12 innings with 15 strikeouts and four walks in four games.