It’s going to come down to the last minute for the final spot on the Arizona Diamondbacks’ roster.
“Josh Wilson, Ryan Roberts and Josh Whitesell have had a heck of a spring,” said Arizona manager Bob Melvin. “All those guys are fighting for that last spot.”
The D’backs open their season against Colorado on Tuesday in Phoenix.
Arizona ended its Tucson part of spring training with a 7-4 loss to the Rockies at Tucson Electric Park on Thursday.
Roberts provides options because he can play several positions.
“That might allow us to do some things a little differently if I wanted to use Miguel Montero early on in the game to pinch-hit,” Melvin said. “We do have someone else to catch if something happens to (Chris) Snyder or we need to pinch-run. He gives us flexibility to play the outfield and infield and behind the play.”
Getting better
One of the goals coming into this season was for Arizona third baseman Mark Reynolds to reduce his strikeouts. He struck out a major-league record 204 times last season.
“He has a better two-strike approach,” Melvin said.
Reynolds has struck out 15 times this spring in 57 at-bats. He is batting .333 with three home runs and 11 RBIs.
Notable
• Melvin also praised veteran Tony Clark, an ex-Arizona Wildcat, for his play. Clark is hitting .367 with two home runs and nine RBIs.
“He has had a real fine spring for us,” Melvin said. “He was a guy last year that didn’t get any time at all when he was in San Diego. It hampered him a little bit as the season went along. He has gotten more repetitions and feels better.”
• Left-hander Daniel Schlereth, the Diamondbacks’ first round selection in 2008 and former University of Arizona pitcher, recorded a scoreless inning against Colorado. He struck out two and walked in.
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SPRING ATTENDANCE
Arizona averaged about a 1,000 less fans a game this season compared to last, and the Rockies about 650 less:
Year D’backs Rockies
2009 6,735 4,725
2008 7,732 5,384
2007 6,732 4,024
2006 6,149 3,545
2005 7,141 4,473
2004 8,250 4,512
2003 8,492 4,354
2002 9,130 4,880
2001 6,957 4,353
2000 6,484 4,248
1999 7,670 4,809
1998 6,959 5,047