Diamondbacks' Braden Shipley: Battling for rotation spot?

Shipley may be competing for a rotation spot this spring, but his destination to begin the season could hinge on the health of the starters currently ahead of him on the depth chart.

Analysis:

The D-backs have Zack Greinke, Robbie Ray, and Taijuan Walker positioned as their first three starters, with Shelby Miller, Patrick Corbin, Archie Bradley, and Shipley vying for the final two spots. It seems unlikely that the D-backs will give up on Bradley as a starter in 2017, but he and Shipley have minor league options remaining, which could leave the duo working as teammates in Reno to open the year. One other variable to consider is the role of Corbin, who may be shifted into the bullpen depending on how things go over the course of spring training. Shipley's decline in strikeout rate over the past two seasons at Double-A and Triple-A continued during his 70-inning taste of Arizona last season, and that trait makes him particularly susceptible to damage having to pitch half of his games at Chase Field if he's a member of the 25-man roster at any point in 2017.