With the commencement of the upcoming season looming, the Diamondbacks' managerial maestro, Torey Lovullo, made a pivotal announcement on Tuesday:

Bryce Jarvis will be entrusted with a crucial role as a long reliever for the team's pitching corps.

Lovullo’s vote of confidence in Jarvis stems from the pitcher’s impressive form on the mound. "Bryce is delivering the ball exceptionally well," Lovullo remarked. "His ability to secure outs combined with his endurance is particularly appealing. In the event of an early setback with one of our pitchers, we are confident that Jarvis can step in and provide us with 50-60 pitches, bridging us to the following day."

This decision comes as Arizona finalized its starting rotation, unveiling a blend of seasoned talent and promising prospects. Alongside stalwarts Zac Gallen, Merrill Kelly, and Brandon Pfaadt, emerging arms Tommy Henry and Ryne Nelson have earned coveted positions in the five-man rotation.

The necessity for a long reliever became apparent after last Friday's announcement that Eduardo Rodriguez would be sidelined due to a lat strain. This demand persists despite the reported acquisition of veteran starter Jordan Montgomery, who is expected to require additional time to prepare at the start of the regular season slated to commence on Thursday.

Amidst the team's preparations for the season opener against the Colorado Rockies:

The spotlight falls squarely on Bryce Jarvis. The 18th overall pick in the 2020 MLB Draft, Jarvis has showcased his potential during spring training, featuring in five games and vying for a spot in the starting rotation.

Jarvis’s journey to this pivotal role has been marked by perseverance and adaptability. His debut with the Diamondbacks last season saw him feature in 11 games, primarily in a relief capacity, boasting a commendable 3.04 ERA over 23.2 innings pitched.

Lovullo credits Jarvis's recent surge in form to the pitcher's dedication to honing his craft, particularly through the introduction of a new pitch. Jarvis's incorporation of a cut fastball into his repertoire during the offseason has been instrumental in his success on the mound.

Looking ahead to Thursday's Opening Day, Jarvis exudes confidence in the team's abilities:

"Externally, there may be expectations placed upon us," Jarvis reflects. "However, internally, we are focused on maintaining the processes that propelled us to success last year and reinforcing those efforts."

The Diamondbacks' journey begins anew as they prepare to face the Colorado Rockies in their season opener, set to unfold Thursday at 7:10 p.m