D-backs Option Slade Cecconi, Blake Walston and Corbin Martin

The fifth starter competition is down to three pitchers

The Arizona Diamondbacks made 4 roster moves and have 36 players in camp.

Optioned to Triple-A Reno: RHP Slade Cecconi, RHP Corbin Martin and LHP Blake Walston

Reassigned to Minor League camp: OF Kyle Garlick

Cecconi and Walston have been getting stretched out as starting pitchers and both pitched in Sunday's Cactus League game against the Mariners.   They were among the starting pitchers considered in the running for a rotation spot along with Ryne Nelson, Tommy Henry, and Bryce Jarvis.  Torey Lovullo said today that Cecconi would get "bulk" innings, but may not necessarily be given starter's innings, as reported by Jesse Friedman of PHNX

Slade Cecconi will "get bulk innings" in Triple-A Reno, but it's not yet determined if he will start, Torey Lovullo said.

Lovullo mentioned stamina/ability to get through a lineup three times as a reason for potentially moving Cecconi to the bullpen.

— Jesse Friedman (@JesseNFriedman) March 18, 2024

Cecconi appeared in seven major league games in 2023, throwing 27 innings and posting a 4.33 ERA. He topped that off with two scoreless outings in the National League Championship Series against the Phillies.   In 8.1 Spring training innings he allowed twelve hits and six runs, but struck out 12 while walking just three. 

Walston made 30 starts for the Aces last year throwing 149 innings and posting a 4.52 ERA. The team considered calling him up, but ultimately he did not make his debut last year. In 6.1 spring innings he allowed four runs on eight hits, with four walks and five strikeouts.  

Martin, who is coming back from a torn lat muscle that kept him out all of last year, will work as a short reliever in the Reno bullpen. Considered to have top level stuff when healthy, he looked sharp in limited spring training appearances.  It will be no surprise when Martin is recalled from Reno for another shot at the major leagues.  Bedeviled by injuries through most of his career, the 28 year old has appeared in just 17 games, throwing 58 innings with a 6.71 ERA. He was part of the return for Zack Greinke at the 2019 trade deadline. 

Garlick is a major league veteran of five seasons who was a non roster invitee. The outfielder has appeared in 158 games, 375 plate appearances, smacking 19 homers. He has a .225/.277/.438 slash line, for a .715 OPS, or 96 OPS+.

The Diamondbacks still have 10 more cuts to make to pare the roster down to 26 for opening day. 

NOTE: This article was updated to reflect a change in Cecconi's status from starter to "bulk innings" pitcher in Reno

Slade Cecconi Had a Successful MLB Debut Season in 2023

Blake Walston Focusing on Competing in 2024