Right-handers Jonathan Loaisiga and Joe Ross have made the Diamondbacks’ Opening Day bullpen.
Loaisiga’s inclusion was long anticipated. Signed to a minor-league deal in January, he showcased impressive stuff, including a fastball in the upper-90s, and posted solid results during spring training, logging a 3.86 ERA in seven appearances.
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“I thought he had some of the better stuff in our pen,” Diamondbacks general manager Mike Hazen said. “We’re trying to improve the aggregate stuff that we have going out there, from a (swing and) miss standpoint, and he looked good. He had a good spring.”
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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.
Loaisiga, 31, has a career 3.54 ERA in parts of eight seasons in the majors, all with the New York Yankees.
Ross had been trending toward making the club in recent weeks as it became apparent that his ability to go multiple innings in relief appealed to the Diamondbacks.
“I think his ability to get out to 50-60 pitches is a big separating factor for us, especially early, as the starters won’t be built out to where they’re going to be in a few weeks,” Hazen said. “So having somebody like that is of critical importance, especially early.”
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Ross, 32, has been primarily a starter in his big-league career but worked largely in relief last season with the Philadelphia Phillies. He has a 7.71 ERA in seven innings during the Cactus League, working with a fastball in the 94-96 mph range along with a slider and curveball.
Relief pitcher Joe Ross #16 of the Arizona Diamondbacks pitches against Team Mexico during the sixth inning of the MLB exhibition game at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick on March 03, 2026 in Scottsdale.
Only a few roster decisions remain
The Diamondbacks optioned left-hander Philip Abner on Sunday, March 22, leaving them with three pitchers, lefty Brandyn Garcia and right-handers Juan Morillo and Andrew Hoffmann, for two spots. The club is also canvassing the trade market for potential additions to the bullpen.
The club made two other roster moves, re-assigning infielder Jacob Amaya and catcher Aramis Garcia to minor league camp.
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Amaya’s departure seems to point to infielder Ildemaro Vargas making the club, but the team has not committed to that. It could be that it is keeping its options open to an external addition.
Garcia’s strike-throwing issues in recent outings have pushed him onto the bubble of the roster and have forced the Diamondbacks to consider the possibility of not having a left-hander in the bullpen to open the year.
As of now, six relievers — all right-handers — are assured of being in the Diamondbacks’ season-opening bullpen: Paul Sewald, Ryan Thompson, Kevin Ginkel, Taylor Clarke, Loaisiga and Ross.
Hazen declined to comment on the remaining decisions, saying he would explain them further after they have been made, likely on Monday, March 23.
(This story will be updated. Check back soon.)
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Two veteran relievers clinch Opening Day spots for Diamondbacks