SATURDAY: De La Rosa will earn $2.25MM if he makes the Diamondbacks’ roster, Piecoro reports. He’ll also have a chance at up to $600K in bonuses.
FRIDAY: Left-hander Jorge De La Rosa appeared in the Diamondbacks clubhouse this morning, per multiple reporters at their spring facility in Arizona, indicating that the two sides had likely agreed to a reunion. Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic tweets that the D-backs have indeed worked out a minor league pact with De La Rosa to bring him back to the organization. He’s represented by TWC Sports.
De La Rosa, 37 in April, spent his first full season as a reliever with the D-backs in 2017, working to a 4.21 ERA with 7.9 K/9, 3.7 BB/9, 1.23 HR/9 and a 45.2 percent ground-ball rate in 51 1/3 innings. While it may not be especially predictive, De La Rosa thrived when coming into tight situations, allowing just one of the 33 runners he inherited to cross home plate. He also held left-handed opponents to a putrid .192/.253/.292 slash in 79 plate appearances, thought righties posted a hefty .262/.362/.458 line against him over a larger sample.
Prior to his work as a reliever, De La Rosa was arguably the most consistent starter in Rockies history, tossing 1141 1/3 innings with a 4.35 ERA, 7.8 K/9 and 3.8 BB/9 from 2008-16. He seems likely to work out of the ’pen again in Arizona, given a full starting rotation consisting of Zack Greinke, Robbie Ray, Patrick Corbin, Zack Godley and Taijuan Walker. But, De La Rosa could conceivably provide some depth this spring should an injury pop up.
At present, Andrew Chafin is the clear top lefty in the D-backs’ bullpen. De La Rosa will vie for a role as a second or third southpaw option for second-year manager Torey Lovullo, competing alongside 40-man options T.J. McFarland and Jared Miller as well as fellow non-roster veteran Antonio Bastardo.
There goes the ringer!
Guess they’re out on JD now!
Always liked De La Rosa even though I’m not a Rockies fan. He’s always been steady, solid and reliable. Never a stud, but always a contributor.
Reading this article and seeing their rotation listed out made me realize the Diamondbacks have put together a pretty good starting rotation. I think Walker is going to have a breakout season any time now. Plus they still have Miller. While hes been bad so far at some point he could contribute.
Robbie Ray is a dark horse CY Young candidate.
Good old George of the Pink. In his heyday he was always good for 5-6 strong innings, nothing more nothing less.
This is simply “competition”, in case Jared Miller isn’t quite ready, and to push Miller to take that next step. To a lesser extent, it’s insurance in case of an injury to T.J. McFarland. And De La Rosa could also be an emergency starter in case a whole rash of injuries hit the 9 starters ahead of him on the depth chart.
Jared Miller is a huge x-factor.. if he continues to progress at the same trajectory and handles the majors like he has every other level, have mercy look out. Add to that Ray and Godley continuing to mature, and Walker settling into manhood, and this rotation can stack up with anyone. Like @Geez stated above, you sit back and look at it and they’ve quietly built a surprisingly solid pitching corps