Projected to be among the best teams in the National League in 2025, the Arizona Diamondbacks first half has been defined by injuries and underperformance.
Their rotation, which looked to be a strength after adding former Cy Young Award winner Corbin Burnes in free agency, has been an utter disaster, as Burnes needed Tommy John Surgery after just 11 starts and Eduardo Rodriguez, Brandon Pfaadt and even Zac Gallen have ERAs over five. The bullpen, meanwhile, has also been dealt significant losses with injuries to Justin Martinez and A.J. Puk, their two most valuable relievers from 2024 who will miss the rest of the season with elbow injuries. The result is a pitching staff that ranks 25th in Major League Baseball in ERA, with every team behind them at least ten games under .500.
Yet despite all that has gone wrong, the Diamondbacks have remained in the mix with a 41-38 record, placing them just 2.5 games back of the third wild card. Much of the credit can be given to the work of manager Torey Lovullo, widely regarded as one of the best in the game, and a deep and versatile lineup that ranks third in runs scored and fifth in home runs. Leading the way is the trio of Ketel Marte, Eugenio Suárez, and Corbin Carroll, who have combined for 59 home runs and 163 RBIs while each posting an OPS at least 40% above the league average.
Those three, along with solid contributions from first baseman Josh Naylor and shortstop Geraldo Perdomo, have combined to keep the Diamondbacks in the race despite their pitching struggles, but the task will only get tougher with the news that Corbin Carroll will miss time with a fractured hand. Yet while losing an MVP-caliber player like Carroll will hurt any lineup, perhaps no team is better suited to withstand a significant loss than the Diamondbacks, who have been overcoming significant losses all season.
Though many teams would love to see the Diamondbacks sell off their collection of impending free agents, including Gallen, Suárez, and Merrill Kelly, it’s no wonder why GM Mike Hazen has confidence in his team, which he expressed to ESPN’s Jesse Rogers.
“We have good players, so I don’t see why we shouldn’t be able to play good baseball and stay in this and then get those guys back and maybe be able to add on at the deadline,” Hazen wrote.
If the Diamondbacks do choose to buy at the deadline, the bullpen will be a top priority, as it is still one of the league’s weaker units despite admirable performances from journeymen Jalen Beeks and Shelby Miller.
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