D-backs Re-Assign Familia, Option Kyle Nelson and Frías

As reported here earlier today by Jack Sommers, Familia is not expected to make the Opening Day roster and will be released with an opt-out in his contract for tomorrow. Familia had allowed just one run on four hits, two walks, and six strikeouts in 6.2 innings over eight Cactus League games. His velocity was consistently down 2 MPH compared to 2022. 

Kyle Nelson pitched reasonably well in eight appearances this spring. The 25-year-old left-hander was scoreless in six of them, but allowed 11 hits and struck out eight in 8.2 innings. His slider was still equally as impressive, especially when facing left-handed hitters, but it appears the D-backs are going in a different direction and already have two lefties in their bullpen between Andrew Chafin and Joe Mantiply. Given his 2022 success, in which he pitched to a 2.19 ERA in 43 games, he may be one of the first arms called up in the season. 

Frías had been pitching reasonably well in his first nine games, striking out 11 while only walking two in 7.1 innings. However a disastrous performance against the Chicago Cubs yesterday likely sealed his fate, as the 24-year-old allowed two hits and walked three. Frías can throw upper 90s with a downhill angle and a spike curve as his main secondary, but has had trouble throwing strikes. 

This leaves the Diamondbacks bullpen  projection with what appears to be five  "locks": RHP Scott McGough, LHP Joe Mantiply, LHP Andrew Chafin, RHP Miguel Castro. and RHP Kevin Ginkel

Today's moves are good news for Carlos Vargas, Cole Sulser, and Ryan Hendrix, all of whom are still left in the bullpen competition. Peter Solomon hasn't been officially re-assigned, per the team's transactions page, but hasn't pitched in a Cactus League game since March 10th. One other possibility is the team reconsiders their position on having a long man and whoever doesn't win out in the fifth starter competition between Ryne Nelson and Drey Jameson is given a long man role in the pen.