Opening Day is just a week away, which means the camp cuts will become more notable. The Diamondbacks made a few today. They optioned pitchers Kyle Nelson and Drey Jameson as well as infielder Jordan Lawlar to Triple-A Reno. Right-hander Scott McGough and first baseman/outfielder Trey Mancini, who were in camp as non-roster invitees, were reassigned to minor league camp.
Mancini’s reassignment is arguably the most notable move of the bunch. The veteran signed a minor league deal with the Snakes last month and put up huge numbers this spring. In 27 Cactus League plate appearances, he has a line of .440/.481/.640. An unsustainable .667 batting average on balls in play is helping him out, but it’s still a nice showing for a guy who didn’t play in 2024.
Longtime baseball fans will be familiar with Mancini’s inspirational journey. He hit 86 home runs and slashed .276/.335/.485 for the Orioles over the 2016 through 2019 seasons, production which translated to a 116 wRC+. He then missed the entire 2020 season while battling colon cancer. He made a triumphant return in 2021, hitting another 21 home runs and putting up a .255/.326/.432 line and 105 wRC+. He produced largely similar numbers in 2022, a season in which he was traded to the Astros and earned a World Series ring.
The two subsequent years were a challenge. He signed a two-year, $14MM deal with the Cubs going into 2023 but hit .234/.299/.336 for a 76 wRC+ and was released in early August. Going into 2024, he signed a minor league deal with the Marlins but opted out of that deal at the end of camp. He didn’t sign anywhere else during the 2024 season. It was reported in November that he was looking to mount a comeback bid, which was followed by a minor league deal with the Snakes in February.
What’s unclear now is if Mancini has an opt-out on this deal, as he did in his pact with the Marlins last spring. Some veterans get automatic opt-outs on minor league deals, but one of the requirements for those is that a player was on a major league roster or injured list at the end of the previous season. That was not the case for Mancini, so the only way he would have an opt-out is if he negotiated one into his contract.
After missing the entire 2024 season, perhaps he would welcome the opportunity to play in some minor league games and get back into a normal rhythm. However, given his track record and big spring numbers, he might also be interested in seeing what other opportunities are out there. The Snakes seem likely to use Josh Naylor and Pavin Smith as regulars in the first base and designated hitter spots. Mancini has experience in the outfield corners as well but has never graded out well there and the D’Backs have plenty of options for those spots.
Lawlar is perhaps the best-known name among the other players, since he has been one of the top prospects in baseball for a while. He made his big league debut late in 2023 but hit just .129/.206/.129 in 34 plate appearances. He then missed most of the 2024 season due to injury, getting into just 23 minor league games. He’s having a strong spring, hitting .294/.368/.529, but getting optioned is a sensible move.
Arizona has Geraldo Perdomo and Eugenio Suárez covering Lawlar’s primary positions of shortstop and third base. After a mostly lost season, getting regular reps in Reno is probably what’s best for him, especially since he’s still just 22 years old. Suárez is an impending free agent, so a solid campaign from Lawlar could line him up for a regular big league role next year. Or perhaps sooner, if injuries create an opening.
Jameson, 27, has some decent big league numbers. He tossed 65 innings for the Snakes over 2022 and 2023, making seven starts and 12 relief appearances. He missed the entire 2024 season recovering from Tommy John surgery. It’s unclear if the Diamondbacks view him more as a starter or reliever going forward. After missing all of last year, perhaps pitching in Triple-A is better either way.
If he is to continue starting, they don’t have a big league role for him now anyway. They have seven viable rotation options in Corbin Burnes, Zac Gallen, Merrill Kelly, Eduardo Rodríguez, Jordan Montgomery, Brandon Pfaadt and Ryne Nelson. However, Gallen, Kelly and Montgomery are impending free agents and Burnes can opt-out after 2026, so there are long-term jobs available if Jameson returns to starting in Reno this year.