D-backs Sign Almora and Garlick to Minor League Deals
The Diamondbacks continue to add depth to their outfield, as they've signed Albert Almora and Kyle Garlick to minor league deals. Both players will receive an invite to big league Spring Training, pushing their roster up to 68 players. What's notable about both players is they are both right-handed swinging bats.
Almora, 29, was a former first rounder by the Chicago Cubs in 2012, and debuted in their 2016 championship season. Over his career, he has 600 major league games, with a .259/.300/.383 slash line, 80 OPS+, and 33 career home runs. He last appeared with the Cincinnati Reds in the 2022 season. In his career, he's played all three outfield positions but played primarily center field with the Cubs. Almora will wear No. 8.
Garlick, 32, debuted with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2019. He's been with the Minnesota Twins over the past three seasons. Health issues have limited him to 375 plate appearances over parts of five seasons in MLB. He's been utilized strictly as a platoon bat in left field and as a DH, with 208 of his career PA coming against left-handed pitchers with a career .240/.289/.510 slash against southpaws. Garlick will wear No. 41.
The D-backs are set to play Lourdes Gurriel Jr., Alek Thomas, Corbin Carroll, Joc Pederson and Randal Grichuk in their outfield much of the season. The left-handed hitting Jake McCarthy and switch-hitting Jorge Barrosa serve as additional 40-man roster depth. Grichuk is currently recovering from surgery to remove bone spurs in his ankle, with manager Torey Lovullo saying that he should be ready to play by Opening Day.
As minor league signings, both Almora and Garlick are not part of the 40-man roster and are likely to spend most of the year playing at Triple-A Reno.
