Arizona Diamondbacks: Hernandez, Rosales added for stretch run

Important contributions for Arizona Diamondbacks could come from unlikely players.

Approaching the trading deadline, the Arizona Diamondbacks appeared a team which needed slight tweaking. While the main need was another right arm in the bullpen, the requisite for required personnel quickly escalated.

Because of injuries, general manager Mike Hazen looked at his team not from the vantage of strengthening a position which was already dependable. Arizona relievers, for the most part, have held dependable. At the same time, Hazen was satisfied with the reality that relievers, in the course of 162 games, hit an occasional roadblock.

For that reason, reliever David Hernandez, an important component of the Arizona bullpen during the 2011 National League West title season, is back in Sedona Red. Acquired from the Los Angeles of Angels of Anaheim for minor league pitcher Luis Madero, Hernandez brings an experienced right arm to complement right-handers Jake Barrett, Ruby De La Rosa, Archie Bradley and Fernando Rodney in the bullpen. At 32-years-old, Hernandez compiled a 1-0 mark and a 2.23 ERA in 38 games this season with the Angels.

More from Call to the Pen

At the same time, Hernandez underwent Tommy John surgery in 2014 with the Diamondbacks. Since, Hernandez has played for Philadelphia, San Francisco, Atlanta and the Angels. In the middle of a solid come-back, 2017 season, the native of Sacramento, Calif. should give the Diamondbacks a strong presence in the sixth, seventh and possibly the eighth innings. In the division-winning season of 2011, Hernandez aptly filled the role of set-up reliever to closer J. J. Putz, who recorded career-high 45 saves in that championship season.

If Hazen was satisfied in picking up a reliable arm for the stretch run, he was quickly thrown into survival mode. With shortstop Nick Ahmed out with a broken right hand since June 28, the remaining two shortstops on the 25-man roster suddenly became unavailable.

Since Chris Owings, who was having a solid season at short and giving David Peralta a rest in right field, broke a finger on his right hand in last Sunday’s game in St Louis. Attempting to bunt, Owings broke his throwing hand by a pitch from Lance Lynn, and was replaced by Danie Descalso. Owings immediately returned to Phoenix, underwent hand surgery and is out until late September or early October. On Tuesday Owings was placed on the 60-day disabled list.

His replacement Ketel Marte is now penciled as the everyday shortstop for the rest of the season. Suddenly, the 23-year-old was called home to his native Dominican Republic, and was due to the death of his mother in a car accident. With Owings and Ahmed both out for the possibility the rest do the season, Hazen then pushed the emergency button and acquired infielder Adam Rosales from Oakland for right-hander Jefferson Mejia, whom the Diamondbacks picked up from the Chicago Cubs in Dec., 2014 along with Zack Godley for catcher Miguel Montero.

Over the final two months of the season, the personnel composition of the Diamondbacks could evolve. That’s because pitchers Robbie Ray and Randall Delgado remain on the disabled and outfielder Yasmany Tomas is currently in the 60-day disabled list.

All of which will likely force field manager Torey Lovullo to continue to mix and match an unstructured line-up. While pundits agree the Los Angeles Dodgers are out of reach of the four remaining teams in the NL West division, the quest for Arizona, going forward, to is create separation from the Colorado Rockies, the Cubs, Braves, Pirates and Brewers for a precious wild-card spot.

Next: Mets bringing up Amed Rosario

For that to happen, it’s possible players not here before induction of the latest Hall of Fame class on July 30, could suddenly emerge as significant and important forces in Arizona’s pursuit for a post-season position.

Home/Arizona Diamondbacks