UPDATE:
#Dbacks Chip Hale says Owings likely to be opening day starter in CF.
— Steve Gilbert (@SteveGilbertMLB) April 2, 2016
There is no timetable for Pollock's return.
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The Arizona Diamondbacks arguably made the biggest splash in free agency and on the trade market this offseason, but their roster will be without one of their best players for a good while.
Center fielder A.J. Pollock fractured his right elbow during Friday's spring training game (his first with the major league lineup) after sliding into home plate. The 28-year-old was dealing with elbow soreness this spring, which limited him to just four games. The Diamondbacks announced that his injury will require surgery, but it's unclear how much time he's going to miss.
Chip Hale says A.J. Pollock suffered a fractured right elbow and will require surgery.
— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) April 2, 2016
Here's a video of Pollock's slide:
Pollock was among the best players in MLB last year after a breakout season with Arizona. The former first-round draft pick hit .315/.367/.498 with 111 runs scored, 20 home runs, 76 RBI and 39 stolen bases in 157 games. He earned his first All-Star honors, finished 14th in the NL MVP voting and won his first Gold Glove.
He underwent an MRI on his elbow at the beginning of March and the results came back clean, but the manner in which he suffered the injury may have indicated that there was some weakness in the area. The team was prepared to limit him throughout spring training in hopes of having him ready for Opening Day.
Now the D-Backs will turn to Socrates Brito, who has been having a solid spring and threatening Yasmany Tomas' job in left field. It's likely that Brito will start the season in center to replace Pollock, which may not be so bad. Brito, who has logged just 18 MLB games, will get much-needed experience in the bigs and help the team's outfield depth immensely once Pollock is able to return.
The 23-year-old is hitting .319/.356/.420 with seven runs scored, one home run, seven RBIs and four stolen bases this spring.
However, Pollock's injury further proves how valuable Ender Inciarte was to the club. The outfield was traded to the Atlanta Braves this offseason in the deal that netted Arizona pitcher Shelby Miller. Many believed the D-Backs overpaid for Miller, but the club was keen on bolstering their starting rotation. Inciarte, 25, recorded games in every outfield position, including 22 in center, and hit .303/.338/.408 with 73 runs scored, six home runs, 45 RBIs and 21 stolen bases in 132 games last year.
Pollock's absence will be a colossal setback for the Diamondbacks, but the team is hopeful that their outfield depth will take care of business in the meantime.
