Corbin Carroll is back — and leading off for the Arizona Diamondbacks in his first Spring Training game — and suddenly everything feels right again. The D-backs are also set to get another major boost with Merrill Kelly reportedly making his first spring start against the Kansas City Royals. We break down what it means for Arizona to have two of its biggest stars healthy and returning before Opening Day, and why avoiding extended absences from both players could have a massive impact on the regular season. With Carroll back in the lineup and Kelly rejoining the rotation mix, the Diamondbacks suddenly have some tough decisions looming — including a potential logjam in the outfield and a crowded competition for starting pitching spots.
We also dive into Steve Gilbert’s latest roster projections from MLB.com and discuss how he sees the D-backs’ roster battles shaking out as the regular season approaches. Plus, we have plenty of thoughts on Team USA’s shocking loss to Team Italy in the World Baseball Classic, including why manager Mark DeRosa’s questionable decisions and lack of awareness about the team’s advancement scenario may have played a major role in pushing Team USA to the brink of elimination.
