The Diamondbacks started the offseason with a lot of rotation questions. Greinke missed his final three starts with shoulder problems, Archie Bradley and Robbie Ray inconsistent, and Shelby Miller and Patrick Corbin coming off horrible 2016 seasons. Miller and Corbin were supposed to help anchor a rotation that was to help the Diamondbacks push for a postseason spot. It didn’t happen as the pitching staff imploded and the team limped to a 69-win season. The team added Taijuan Walker to the rotation in November, and Walker has been brilliant this Spring so far.
With the top three rotation spots locked up with Greinke, Ray, and Walker going into camp, the real competition was the #4 and #5 spots.