TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) -The Arizona Diamondbacks’ pitchers and catchers reported for spring training on Friday brimming with confidence from their surprising success a year ago.
A year of experience for their young lineup, and the addition of right-hander Dan Haren, has them believing they can defend their NL West title.
“We should be the favorites,” former Cy Young award winner Brandon Webb said.
Webb called the trade to bring a “co-ace” in Haren from Oakland “one of the biggest acquisitions since I’ve been here.”
Bob Melvin, voted NL manager of the year after his team led the league in wins and advanced to the NLCS, believes the optimism is warranted.
“I don’t think you’ll see an overconfident bunch,” he said, “but based on last year and some of the acquisitions we made this year, we feel pretty good about ourselves.”
lear at the team meeting when position players report next week.
“In this game of baseball, there’s always someone looking to take your job,” he said. “We saw how quickly things changed here in a couple of years.”
Melvin said he will tell his players “to take nothing for granted and go out there and prepare the way we did last year, keep your focus very short-term and understand that there are a lot of good young players in this system that are looking to take your job.”
Among the few questions to be answered is the health of Randy Johnson. The 44-year-old left-hander underwent back surgery for the second year in a row but is being penciled in as the No. 3 starter behind Webb and Haren.
Johnson was scheduled to speak to reporters on Saturday. Melvin said the Big Unit already had thrown three bullpen sessions.
“The surgery, from what I’m told, went a little better this year,” Melvin said. “They feel a little better about it. Obviously it’s not the arm, so we’re going to do everything we can to make sure we take as much pressure off the back.”
One of the rules for Johnson, he joked, is “no sliding.”
Chad Tracy reported on Friday to continue rehabilitation after undergoing microfracture surgery on his right knee. Tracy had a setback when a blood clot developed in the knee during the offseason. He said he remains on blood thinner.
Tracy is cleared to begin running Feb. 24, and believes he can be ready by opening day.
“It’s going to be one of those things where it’s probably going to be cutting it close,” Tracy said. “But if I’m able to run pain-free, I think my rehab will pick up from there.”
Once Tracy is healthy, Melvin faces some difficult decisions. Tracy plays third and first base, positions already held by Mark Reynolds and Conor Jackson.
“We have three guys for two positions that we feel like are all everyday guys,” Melvin said. “So that’s still yet to be determined.”
One of the few personnel questions remaining was answered last week when the Diamondbacks made Brandon Lyon the closer ahead of right-handed setup men Tony Pena and Chad Qualls.
Pena won’t arrive until Tuesday because of visa difficulties, Melvin said. Right-hander Juan Cruz is excused until Tuesday for personal reasons.
Right-hander Juan Gutierrez also is having visa difficulties relating to his trade from Houston and is expected to arrive on Tuesday, according to Melvin.
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