World Series loss means Arizona Diamondbacks have more to prove this year
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The Arizona Diamondbacks make their 2024 regular season debut Thursday, hosting the Colorado Rockies.
The D-Backs take the field as defending National League champs after a surprise World Series run last year. They also have been further bolstering their roster. Their newest addition is free agent starting pitcher Jordan Montgomery, reportedly signed to a one year, $25 million contract.
He’ll join an already talented staff that includes Merrill Kelly, who welcomed the move.
"It would have been real easy for them to take a step back and say we’re in a pretty good spot, we’ve got a pretty good team. So the fact that they are still scratching and clawing when they can and making moves that they think can make us better, obviously being a player in this clubhouse, seeing that, it’s encouraging," Kelly said.
Diamondbacks GM Mike Hazen says he’s gotten the blessing from owner Ken Kendrick and team President Derrick Hall to increase payroll with hopes of winning it all this season.
"Ken has consistently, Derrick has consistently told us that when we were a good team and we were able to show some degree of sustainability with it, that there was gonna be an ability to invest. He’s always pushed us to go and be aggressive and this was a good opportunity for us to do that," Hazen said.
Zac Gallen will pitch in their season debut at Chase Field, the first of four games against the Rockies.
