D-backs have tough decisions ahead in these 2 areas

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- It didn’t take long into his first media session of the spring for Torey Lovullo to be asked how he plans to handle the plethora of starting pitchers, and the Diamondbacks' manager basically had a two-word answer: Stay tuned.

With Zac Gallen, Merrill Kelly, Eduardo Rodriguez, Brandon Pfaadt, Ryne Nelson and Jordan Montgomery returning from last year’s rotation and the addition of free agent Corbin Burnes-- who was signed to a six-year, $210 million contract -- the starting staff is loaded, and something is going to have to give.

So how does Lovullo plan to navigate having seven starters for five spots?

“I don't know that answer,” Lovullo said. “I've yet to sit down with that group, but I'll share a little bit of what I will say to them -- that there's uncertainty and I don't know answers, and I want to watch them go out and perform.

"So everybody's going to log innings, everybody's going to get an opportunity to get the baseball. We're going to give everybody a fair shake at getting an opportunity. We have some really good starting pitching in camp. That's one of the hard decisions we have to make.”

One thing that doesn’t appear to be an option at this point is going with a six-man rotation.

While on the one hand it would give pitchers a little extra rest, the issue is veteran pitchers tend to be very routine oriented and are used to pitching every fifth day. Also, early in the season when there are extra off-days, it could lead to starters not being able to get into a rhythm when pitching every sixth or seventh day.

“We’ve never had a six-man rotation here, and I don’t think we’re considering that now,” Lovullo said. “It might be a little bit of a challenge to get guys the work they need to go out and perform.”

Here are some other takeaways from the first day of Spring Training:

Closer TBD
With Paul Sewald having departed via free agency, Lovullo will take his time naming a closer, if in fact he designates one at all.

In the past, it’s been Lovullo’s preference to have a set closer, but with lefty A.J. Puk and righty Justin Martinez the two top candidates to close, it’s possible that they could split it up depending on matchups.

For now, it’s going to be an open competition between the two, though Lovullo didn’t rule out someone else, like Kevin Ginkel, claiming that role.

“I would like to,” Lovullo said of having a designated closer. “But it's not going to be an absolute necessity for me. I don't want to just give somebody a job because it's going to make me feel better. I’m going to let these guys go out and perform and slot into a role or a situation that’s going to help the team win games.”

Both Puk and Martinez said Wednesday that they aren’t worried about being the closer and are instead focused on doing whatever they can to help the team win.

Montgomery looking to bounce back
A noticeably slimmed-down Montgomery was in camp, a change from last year when he was not signed as a free agent until the day after the regular season started.

The lack of a Spring Training last year was cited as the main reason the left-hander struggled, compiling a 6.23 ERA in 25 games (21 starts).

Montgomery exercised his player option for 2025 and is scheduled to make $22.5 million.

“I've had a couple conversations with him this offseason, and I've exchanged some texts with him, and he talked to me about his commitment to being as ready as possible when he walked in the doors,” Lovullo said. “He looks great. Last year was a very difficult year for him. I know it's all well documented. We don't need to talk about any of it, other than this is a fresh start.”

Quotable
“Iron sharpens iron.” -- Nelson, on the competition for rotation spots