Tommy Henry Will Try to Stabilize a Rotation Spot

The Diamondbacks need one of their young starters to step up.

Tommy Henry (1-0, 6.52 ERA) will try to establish himself as one of the answers in the Diamondbacks rotation today, facing off against the Washington Nationals  and MacKenzie Gore (3-2, 3.77 ERA)  at 5:10 P.M. MST. 

The Diamondbacks currently have two rookies (Ryne Nelson and Brandon Pfaadt) and second year pitcher Henry in the rotation. All three are struggling to varying degrees, and the team desperately needs some stability from a starter not named Zac Gallen or Merrill Kelly.  Those two have combined for a 2.63 ERA in 14 starts. In the 18 starts by every other D-back starter the ERA is an unsightly 7.43

The 25 year old Henry is the older of the two left-handers tonight by a little over a year.  Last year Henry made 11 starts, going 3-4 with a 5.33 ERA. He started of well, but then a series of rough starts ended with him getting demoted back to Triple-A Reno.  Recalled at the end of September he finished the season on a high note, going 6.1 innings and giving up one run against the Giants. 

Optioned out towards the end of spring training this year Henry was called up to make his first start of 2023 on April 24th against the Royals, taking a no decision while giving up four runs in 4.1 innings. In his last start he pitched into the 6th inning in Colorado, giving up four runs and picking up his first victory since August 26th of last year. 

Henry throws a four seam fastball, a curveball, and a changeup. Since his fastball averages just over 90 MPH, he needs to command the edges and land his curveball to set up the change up for swing and miss and soft contact. 

Gore went over to the Nationals in the Juan Soto trade last year. He throws a 95 MPH fastball, and has an excellent curveball and a slider. When he's throwing strikes he can be dominating, as he was two starts ago against the Mets. In that game he struck out 10 batters and allowed one run in six innings while only walking two. For the season he's struck out 39 batters but has issued 18 walks in 31.1 innings. 

Lineups

Jack Sommers

The Diamondbacks right handed lineup is in there tonight, with Emmanuel Rivera at third base and Evan Longoria at DH. Longoria will hope to get untracked against the lefty Gore. He's just 2-27 with one homer and one walk since April 22nd. 

Former Diamondback Stone Garrett is in the lineup for the Nationals. In 46 plate appearances he's batting .286 with a .762 OPS, including a homer and five RBI. The five RBI all came in his second game of the year, but none since. Another former D-back and Torey Lovullo favorite, Ildemaro Vargas is playing shortstop and batting ninth.