In an unfortunate turn of events, the Arizona Diamondbacks lost center fielder A.J. Pollock to a fractured elbow on Friday, which leaves an enormous gap on their MLB roster. However, general manager Dave Stewart feels that the club can fill the void internally.
Manager Chip Hale said that the D-Backs will use infielder Chris Owings to start the year in center, but it's unknown how that will go since the 24-year-old has played one professional game (in the minors) in the outfield. He logged two games in center this spring (following Pollock's injury), and he hit a three-run homer in his first start there on Saturday.
Prospect Socrates Brito is another possibility, but it appears as if Owings could be the primary option.
"If we feel like Chris and do it, he'll probably be the guy out there," Hale said. "Brito would be our everyday center field but against a lefty, Chris matches up better."
At this point Stewart will not explore the trade market or any other available options.
#Dbacks GM Dave Stewart says the team will give internal candidates a chance at filling AJ Pollock's spot before looking outside org.
— Steve Gilbert (@SteveGilbertMLB) April 2, 2016
However, they won't be ignoring options elsewhere.
With Pollock out, Hale said the team is keeping an eye on players who might not make other teams' Opening Day rosters.
— Nick Piecoro (@nickpiecoro) April 2, 2016
Owings was (and still is) expected to be a part of the club's middle infield rotation along with Jean Segura and Nick Ahmed, but this scenario provides an opportunity for all three players to maximize their playing time. Arizona went out and acquired Segura with hopes of improving their offense up the middle considering Owings and Ahmed had poor campaigns at the plate last season.
The Diamondbacks are certainly missing Ender Inciarte, who was traded to the Atlanta Braves in the Shelby Miller deal, as he would have been Pollock's immediate replacement. Instead, the team is optimistic that the athletic Owings can translate his skills to center while Brito's promising spring training, during which he threatened taking over in left field for Yasmany Tomas, has given them another reason to believe.
If Owings proves that he can handle center and improve his versatility, his role with the club will expand (as will his trade value).
So, while Pollock's injury is devastating, it's giving other players an opportunity to step up and deepen the MLB roster in a number of ways. And if Pollock can return in 2016, the D-Backs could be an even scarier team if Owings and Brito prove to be efficient.
