Diamondbacks’ Starting Rotation Unveiled Ahead of Opening Day

With Opening Day just two days away, Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo has unveiled his club’s starting rotation.

However, this rotation is subject to change, as the D-backs are commencing the season without newly acquired Eduardo Rodriguez, who is on the IL due to a left lat strain he suffered a week ago.

Previously confirmed, Zac Gallen will lead the Diamondbacks’ Opening Day roster, taking the mound against the Colorado Rockies on Thursday at 7:10 PM in front of the home crowd at Chase Field.

Following Gallen will be Merrill Kelly, who is entering the season off the back of a career-best 2023 campaign, boasting a 3.29 ERA and 187 strikeouts in 177 innings pitched. Kelly provided a significant boost for Arizona in the postseason, delivering three remarkable starts where he allowed just two earned runs over 18.1 innings.

Third in the rotation will be Tommy Henry, a somewhat surprising choice as Brandon Pfaadt, another player who saw tremendous success in the postseason, has been bumped down to fourth. Nevertheless, excluding October, Pfaadt endured a forgettable rookie season, not securing his first win until August after starting the year 0-6.

Rounding out the rotation in the fifth spot will be Ryne Nelson, who is also coming off a forgettable rookie season with a 5.31 ERA, resulting in some time spent in Triple-A Reno.

Lovullo did not mention whom Eduardo Rodriguez will replace when he returns from his injury.