The Diamondbacks will start Zac Gallen, Ryne Nelson and Eduardo Rodriguez, in that order, in their season-opening series at Dodger Stadium next week, manager Torey Lovullo said on Saturday, March 21.
Right-handers Michael Soroka and Brandon Pfaadt, respectively, will start the next two games, at Chase Field against the Detroit Tigers the following week.
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As expected, this means right-hander Merrill Kelly will open the season on the injured list, Lovullo said. Kelly had been delayed this spring by a minor back issue that prevented him from building his pitch count to a starter’s workload.
The Dodgers are expected to start Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Emmet Sheehan and Tyler Glasnow against the Diamondbacks.
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Top photos from Arizona Diamondbacks’ 2026 spring training
Arizona Diamondbacks Jordan Lawlar catches a fly ball during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Top photos from Arizona Diamondbacks’ 2026 spring training
Arizona Diamondbacks Jordan Lawlar catches a fly ball during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Top photos from Arizona Diamondbacks’ 2026 spring training
Arizona Diamondbacks’ Nolan Arenado (28) rounds the bases after hitting a home run off Colorado Rockies pitcher Antonio Senzatela (49) in the second inning during a spring training game at Salt River Fields on Feb. 20, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Top photos from Arizona Diamondbacks’ 2026 spring training
Arizona Diamondbacks’ Gabriel Moreno (14) bats against the Colorado Rockies in the fourth inning during a spring training game at Salt River Fields on Feb. 20, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Top photos from Arizona Diamondbacks’ 2026 spring training
Arizona Diamondbacks’ Alek Thomas (5) runs to second base after hitting a double against the Colorado Rockies in the second inning during a spring training game at Salt River Fields on Feb. 20, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Top photos from Arizona Diamondbacks’ 2026 spring training
D. Baxter the Bobcat, the Arizona Diamondbacks mascot, signs autographs during the spring training season opener against the Colorado Rockies at Salt River Fields on Feb. 20, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Top photos from Arizona Diamondbacks’ 2026 spring training
Arizona Diamondbacks’ Nolan Arenado (28) reacts after hitting a home run off Colorado Rockies pitcher Antonio Senzatela (49) in the second inning during a spring training game at Salt River Fields on Feb. 20, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Top photos from Arizona Diamondbacks’ 2026 spring training
The Arizona Diamondbacks take the field against the Colorado Rockies during the spring training season opener at Salt River Fields on Feb. 20, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Top photos from Arizona Diamondbacks’ 2026 spring training
Arizona Diamondbacks’ Nolan Arenado (28) hits a home run over Colorado Rockies left fielder Zac Veen (13) in the second inning during a spring training game at Salt River Fields on Feb. 20, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Top photos from Arizona Diamondbacks’ 2026 spring training
The Salt River Pima – Maricopa Indian Community traditional dancers perform at the Arizona Diamondbacks spring training season opener at Salt River Fields on Feb. 20, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Top photos from Arizona Diamondbacks’ 2026 spring training
Arizona Diamondbacks’ Nolan Arenado (28) hits a home run off Colorado Rockies pitcher Antonio Senzatela (49) in the second inning during a spring training game at Salt River Fields on Feb. 20, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Top photos from Arizona Diamondbacks’ 2026 spring training
Arizona Diamondbacks’ Nolan Arenado (28) hits a home run off Colorado Rockies pitcher Antonio Senzatela (49) in the second inning during a spring training game at Salt River Fields on Feb. 20, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Top photos from Arizona Diamondbacks’ 2026 spring training
A fan and her dog cheer for the Arizona Diamondbacks during the spring training season opener against the Colorado Rockies at Salt River Fields on Feb. 20, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Top photos from Arizona Diamondbacks’ 2026 spring training
Arizona Diamondbacks center fielder Alek Thomas (5) signs autographs during the spring training season opener against the Colorado Rockies at Salt River Fields on Feb. 20, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Top photos from Arizona Diamondbacks’ 2026 spring training
Colorado Rockies pitcher Juan Mejia (47) throws to the Arizona Diamondbacks in the third inning during a spring training game at Salt River Fields on Feb. 20, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Top photos from Arizona Diamondbacks’ 2026 spring training
Fans watch the action on the left field lawn as the Colorado Rockies host the Arizona Diamondbacks during a spring training game at Salt River Fields on Feb. 20, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Top photos from Arizona Diamondbacks’ 2026 spring training
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Andrew Hoffmann (56) throws to the Colorado Rockies in the second inning during a spring training game at Salt River Fields on Feb. 20, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Top photos from Arizona Diamondbacks’ 2026 spring training
Arizona Diamondbacks’ Nolan Arenado (28) reacts after hitting a home run off Colorado Rockies pitcher Antonio Senzatela (49) in the second inning during a spring training game at Salt River Fields on Feb. 20, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Top photos from Arizona Diamondbacks’ 2026 spring training
Arizona Diamondbacks center fielder Alek Thomas (5) catches a fly ball from Colorado Rockies’ Edouard Julien (6) in the second inning during a spring training game at Salt River Fields on Feb. 20, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Top photos from Arizona Diamondbacks’ 2026 spring training
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Philip Abner (50) takes the mound against the Colorado Rockies in the third inning during a spring training game at Salt River Fields on Feb. 20, 2026, in Scottsdale.
Lovullo said Pfaadt, who threw in a minor league game on Friday, March 20, likely will not travel to Los Angeles with the team next week and will instead remain behind to make another start on the backfields.
Rodriguez’s next start – his final one before he faces the Dodgers — will come on Monday, March 23, in a backfield game, Lovullo said.
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Kelly, who is expected to pitch at Chase Field against the Cleveland Guardians on March 23, will pitch twice more after that before potentially returning from the injured list at some point during the club’s second road trip of the season, likely either in New York or Philadelphia.
Diamondbacks pitcher Zac Gallen (23) pitches against the Brewers during a spring training game at Salt River Fields on March 20, 2026.
How the club fits Kelly into the rotation remains to be seen.
The Diamondbacks open their season against the Dodgers on March 26.
Updates on Corbin Carroll, Gabriel Moreno
Corbin Carroll, who has only served as a DH thus far in Cactus League games, is expected to play right field on March 23, Lovullo said. Carroll’s spring was delayed because he needed surgery for a broken hamate bone.
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Moreno, who has been dealing with a forearm issue, is expected to start behind the plate on Sunday, March 22. It will be his first time catching in a Cactus League game since March 9.
Both are expected to be in the lineup at their normal positions on Opening Day.
Roster decisions still on hold
Prior to most seasons, the Diamondbacks like to make their final roster moves of the spring before they depart Salt River Fields, which, this year, will happen on March 22.
However, Lovullo said the Diamondbacks might need to wait an extra day.
“We’ve talked about potentially waiting until we go to Chase, which we haven’t done but once in 10 years,” Lovullo said. “You’ve got to slice the pie as thin as possible (when making decisions).”
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Diamondbacks 5, Rangers 2
At Salt River Fields
At the plate: LF Alek Thomas put another good swing on a ball, crushing a three-run homer off LHP Austin Gomber in the third inning. The ball left Thomas’ bat at 109.2 mph. Thomas, who walked and struck out in his other two trips to the plate, is 10 for 27 (.370) with three doubles, a triple and two homers. Thomas has quieted his swing mechanics this year, most notably by eliminating a leg kick. Said manager Torey Lovullo: “I just think by slowing everything down and eliminating the movements and simplifying the lower half, it’s enabling him to stay back, see the baseball and make a longer decision on where it’s going to end up.”
On the mound: RHP Ryne Nelson was sharp across five innings, giving up just four hits, walking none and striking out seven. He sounded particularly happy with his slider, a pitch that elicited seven swings and misses. “The slider felt really good today,” Nelson said. “Still a couple of mistakes, but that’ll happen. Just overall felt like the adjustments have been pretty good on that.” Nelson said he has been trying to “rip” his slider rather than being worried about placing it. “Just trying to keep the intensity up with it,” he said. Nelson got another eight whiffs on his fastball, which averaged 96.4 mph. RHP Paul Sewald gave up one hit and struck out one in a scoreless inning. RHP Taylor Clarke turned in a scoreless inning in relief, as well.
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Extra bases: RF Jorge Barrosa was robbed of a hit when RF Mark Canha made a lunging grab in right field in the third inning. SS Geraldo Perdomo and 2B Ketel Marte turned a slick double play to end the fifth inning, ending Nelson’s outing.
Next game, Sunday, March 22: Diamondbacks RHP Joe Ross vs. Padres RHP Walker Buehler, 6:10 p.m., Peoria Sports Complex.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona Diamondbacks finalize their starting rotation to open season