The grueling, baseball-free winter months have drawn to a close. The Arizona Diamondbacks will take the field for the first time Friday afternoon, kicking off the first of their spring training games against the Colorado Rockies at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale, Arizona.

For the first time since the advent of the 2023 season, the D-backs carry no pressure of expectations. There are no lofty hopes for a deep postseason run. Roles have not come close to being fully solidified. Arizona are the underdogs once again, and that’s where they prefer to live.

“We expect to win,” team president and CEO Derrick Hall said on day one of full-squad workouts. “But I also made note that in years where our expectations are very high, ironically, we usually have something go wrong and we don’t make the postseason and years that we’re not expected to play as well, that’s when we sneak up and shock the world.

“I believe in this team, and this is one of those years we hope that we will sneak up on everybody, and we talked about a little bit of disrespect and anonymity, and we embrace that.”

D-backs Face Rockies in First Spring Game

With much of the D-backs’ “regular” hitters departing for the World Baseball Classic this spring, manager Torey Lovullo will prioritize early reps. For Friday’s game, six regulars will be in the lineup, including catcher Gabriel Moreno and outfielder Alek Thomas in center field. Moreno is fully healthy, and Thomas has reduced his leg-kick motion for the purpose of staying on the ball earlier. Lovullo did not name any other hitters.

The D-backs’ starting pitcher will be right-hander Thomas Hatch. The 31-year-old Hatch spent 2025 with the Minnesota Twins, primarily in a long relief role, and has a career ERA of 5.24.

Of course, the final score, box score stats and at-bat results do not matter. Lovullo uses these contests to get a feel for “the game inside of the game.”

“I’m not so concerned about the results of hitters, of hitters at bat. I’m looking for their feet lining up, everything being consistent, their body getting towards the baseball, the hand path being super clean, following the ball,” Lovullo told reporters on Thursday.

“Pitchers, it’s about just repeating deliveries, landing stuff other than fastballs, following the glove, and the game plan, and being able to recognize swings and make adjustments. I’m watching the game inside of a game… I don’t need to see 96 blown by hitters, I don’t need to see balls 115 off of walls if you’re the hitter. It’s just about the game inside of the game.”

D-backs Have Wide-Open Roster Battles

One thing is certain: roles will not be handed out. Lovullo has repeatedly made that point clear.

Some are more rigid than others. Corbin Carroll (when healthy), Ketel Marte (who is officially off the trade market) and Geraldo Perdomo aren’t going to be fighting for a spot on the 26-man roster. Merrill Kelly was named the D-backs’ opening day starter already.

But beyond some of the obvious names, Arizona’s roster is somewhat wide open — particularly the bullpen. As games begin, fans can watch young players battle for their right to take the field on opening day.

First and foremost, the D-backs have not named a closer. They currently roster only three veterans who have pitched significant leverage innings for this club in the past: Kevin Ginkel, Ryan Thompson and a returning Paul Sewald. While those three might have a leg up on earning the ninth inning, there’s much to still be seen from them before that conclusion is reached.

“What I’ve told every single one of them is there’s eight spots open, and you’ve got to go out there and earn it,” Lovullo said of his bullpen. “I want you to have that earning mentality. Nothing’s going to be handed to you. How it sits and where it goes, I don’t know what that answer is.”

Sewald, of course, has served as Arizona’s closer in their most successful recent seasons, but he’s not coming in with the expectation of taking that job right away.

“This team is paying me to pitch, and I’ll pitch whenever they tell me to pitch. That’s what was told to me, and that’s what I’m here to do,” he said (h/t Alex Weiner on X/Twitter).

That competitive outlook extends to the outfield. Down both Carroll and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. to open the year, there are roles to be earned on the grass, as well. Former top prospect Jordan Lawlar is working on a transition to center field, while Alek Thomas is expected to be used in multiple outfield spots. There’s even an off chance of current No. 1 prospect Ryan Waldschmidt making a rapid jump the majors, depending on his spring performance.

Even the starting rotation — which is mostly the exact same group of arms — contains some intrigue. Arizona re-signed both Merrill Kelly and Zac Gallen in the offseason, but also added right-hander Michael Soroka prior to both of those moves with the intention of using him as a starter. That put six arms in a rotation of five, with Corbin Burnes’ return still looming in the distance.

Soroka has successful bullpen experience, which logically made him the first thought to transition to a relief role. But he told reporters on Thursday he’s looking to compete for one of those five starting jobs.

“My expectation is to help the team, and I think the best way that I can do that is to start,” he said. “We’ve talked about that. That’s why I signed here, and everything’s going really well so far. … I’ll do what I have to do, but I feel like it’s been communicated pretty strongly that I think we all see [me] best suited as starting to go, at least from camp.”

Arizona also has questions at the utility infield position after fan-favorite Blaze Alexander was traded to the Orioles for reliever Kade Strowd. Lovullo said Lawlar is in the mix despite his position change. Second-year Tim Tawa, meanwhile, has begun taking more reps in the infield than the outfield. Don’t count out veteran switch-hitter Ildemaro Vargas, either, who re-signed on a minor league deal this offseason.

With so many open battles, this year’s spring camp is one of the more intriguing in recent seasons. For games that carry no weight in the win-loss column, they certainly will not lack importance. The upped intensity as a result should be a treat for D-backs fans.

D-backs Injury Updates

OF Corbin Carroll (broken hamate bone) is recovering from surgery, and is hoping for an opening day return. He’s been working out at Salt River Field without a cast or wrap on his hand.

OF Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (torn ACL) won’t be ready for opening day, per Lovullo, but the outfielder is undeniably well ahead of schedule. He, too, has been working out without much impairment thus far and is taking live BP.

DH/C Adrian Del Castillo (left calf) is expected to miss at least a month, and will be re-evaluated close to opening day. He may begin the season on the IL.

RHP Justin Martinez (Tommy John surgery) is expected to be out until late August.

LHP A.J. Puk (Tommy John surgery) expects to be back before July. The earliest he could come off the injured list would be mid-May, so an early-t0-mid-June return seems most realistic.

RHP Corbin Burnes (Tommy John surgery) is hoping for a return around the All-Star break in mid-July. He’s operating at an aggressive pace, but has been on track for that timeline every step of the way thus far.

LHP Andrew Saalfrank (left labrum surgery) will miss the entire 2026 season.