Baseball

Diamondbacks Finalize Roster Ahead of Opening Day vs. Guardians

by
Richard Hayes
March 23, 2026

With Opening Day just around the corner, the Arizona Diamondbacks are finalizing their roster, and it appears to be taking shape. Although there has been no official announcement regarding the Opening Day lineup, a careful process of elimination suggests that the roster is nearly set. Currently, only 13 position players remain in the mix, indicating a bench that will likely feature James McCann, Tim Tawa, Jorge Barrosa, and Ildemaro Vargas.

On the pitching side, the bullpen is shaping up to be an all-right-handed affair, as the team seems poised to start the season without a left-hander unless a late waiver claim alters their plans. Adding Vargas, along with Ross and Loaisiga, will require three moves on the 40-man roster. Speculation is swirling about potential candidates for the 60-day IL, including Tyler Locklear, Cristian Mena, and Blake Walston.

Tonight’s lineup feels like a precursor to what fans can expect on Thursday for Opening Day, with one notable exception being the absence of Kelly. The Guardians, meanwhile, will send former Diamondbacks pitcher Slade Cecconi to the mound. Cecconi was traded to Cleveland in exchange for Josh Naylor and has shown promise, proving to be more valuable to the Guardians than he was during his time in Arizona. It’s also exciting to see Corbin Carroll back in right field, while Jordan Lawlar will start in left. Manager Torey Lovullo mentioned that whether this arrangement will be consistent remains to be seen.

For those eager to catch the action, there are several broadcast options available. Fans can tune in to DBACKS.TV to watch the game, featuring the commentary team of Steve Berthiaume, Bob Brenly, and Jody Jackson. On the radio, Arizona Sports 98.7 FM will provide coverage with Chris Garagiola and Tom Candiotti. Additionally, the game will be available in Spanish on La Campesina 101.9 FM, with Oscar Soria and Rodrigo Lopez calling the play-by-play.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.

Richard Hayes

Richard Hayes is the go-to writer for all things soccer at 21Sports.com. His international perspective and in-depth knowledge of the game have made him a trusted voice in the industry. Richard’s experience covering major leagues around the world allows him to offer unique insights that resonate with both casual fans and die-hard enthusiasts. When not covering matches, Richard enjoys coaching youth soccer in his community.