Tommy Henry Makes First Start of 2023

The 25-year-old left-hander will make his first start with the Diamondbacks this season.

The Diamondbacks will open up a three-game series against the Kansas City Royals. After going 12-11 through one of the toughest parts of their schedule, the D-backs cannot let up, as manager Torey Lovullo said the Royals are coming in "looking to win ball games". Despite their 5-17 record to start the season, the Royals have two very good young players in Bobby Witt Jr. and Vinnie Pasquantino.

Starting Pitcher Matchup

LHP Tommy Henry (9 GS, 3-4, 5.36 ERA, 47 IP, 36 K, 21 BB in 2022) - Henry makes his first start for the D-backs in 2023. He was in the competition for a rotation spot this spring, but his inconsistent 2022 season put him behind Ryne Nelson and Drey Jameson on the totem pole. He was optioned to Triple-A Reno on March 20th and made four starts, going 1-0 with a 6.33 ERA and a 22/8 strikeout to walk ratio in 21.1 innings. 

Henry's fastball averages just under 92 MPH and he mixes in a slider, curveball, and changeup. Due to the lack of velocity and movement on his pitches, he needs to rely on sequencing and location to get big league hitters out. When he's hitting his spots, he can eat up innings, but hasn't exhibited consistent enough command in his first nine career starts.

RHP Brad Keller (4 GS, 2-2, 3.00 ERA, 21 IP, 18 K, 13 BB) - Keller was originally an eighth round selection by the D-backs in the 2013 Draft, but was picked up by the Royals in the Rule 5 Draft after the 2017 season. In the past five seasons, he's been in and out of the Royals rotation with 109 of his 143 appearances being starts. When going good, he uses his sinker and changeup to induce ground ball contact. Despite issuing 13 walks already on the season, he's been able to limit the damage with a 59.2% ground ball rate and five double plays. 

Keller averages 94 MPH with his 4-seamer and 93 MPH with his sinker. He's recently developed a curveball, which he has thrown 28% of the time this season, and it has been a great addition to his repertoire. As a ground ball specialist that uses a sinker and a curveball, the D-backs must spit on the pitches down in the zone and attack pitches up in the zone. 

Lineups

Notes

First baseman Vinnie Pasquantino is the key batter to watch for the Royals. On the season, he's hitting .267/.368/.507 on the season with four home runs, a strikeout rate of 14.8%, and a walk rate of 12.5%.

Lourdes Gurriel Jr. is the only player on the D-backs roster who has faced Keller in the past, going 2-for-5. 

Henry has not made a regular season start against the Royals, but did face Hunter Dozier and Matt Duffy in a Spring Training game on March 19th. Henry threw 4.2 scoreless innings that afternoon.

D-backs manager Torey Lovullo was quick to throw cold water on the idea of the team deploying a four-man rotation over the upcoming road trip. Part of the reasoning could be to protect his young starters, with two rookies and Henry in the rotation. 

Roster Moves and Health Updates

• The D-backs have announced that they've optioned Drey Jameson to Reno as the corresponding roster move. Jameson will spend the next 15 days with Reno, unless it is to replace an injured player.
• First baseman Christian Walker is not in the lineup for the second day in a row after getting hit on the right forearm but could be potentially available as a pinch hitter.
• Josh Rojas has a scheduled off day today. Rojas has seen his playing time increase after Lewis was placed on the injured list back on April 10th and was looking fatigued in the past couple games.
• Right-hander Zach Davies is throwing from 60 feet, as he continues to progress in his rehab from a left oblique strain.

Related Stories

D-backs Recall Tommy Henry, Option Drey Jameson to Reno

Tommy Henry Optioned to Triple-A Reno

Tommy Henry Makes Case for Final Rotation Spot