Owings earned his spot in the rotation with a 3.50 spring ERA, best among
Diamondbacks with more than 16 innings pitched. He may not break camp with the
team in Colorado so as to allow fellow prospect Dustin Nippert a chance to begin
the year in the big league bullpen.
Micah Owings will compete with Edgar Gonzalez throughout April to be the
starter that the D'Backs keep when Randy Johnson returns to full health.
The Tulane alumnus has gone 17-3 with a 3.23 ERA so far in his professional
career.
In other roster news, the Diamondbacks optioned pitchers Dana Eveland and
Enrique Gonzalez to minor league camp. In five games each, Gonzalez posted
a 6.52 ERA and Eveland had an 8.25 ERA. Both had been in competition for
the fifth starter role, and Eveland was also considered a possibility in the
bullpen. His demotion made rookie Doug Slaten the sole left-hander in the
opening day bullpen.
The team also designated outfielder Dave Krynzel for assignment. That
leaves Brian Barden, Robby Hammock, and newly-acquired Jeff Salazar competing
for bench roles. Two should make the opening day roster with Carlos Quentin confirmed to begin the year on the disabled list.
JD Durbin also joined the organization when he was claimed off waivers from
the Minnesota Twins. The 25-year old Durbin has a 47-22 record and 3.16
ERA, mostly as a staring pitcher in the Twins organization.