That leaves three spots open, at least until Tom Gordon is ready to come off the disabled list in late April or early May after 2008 elbow surgery, as the D-backs look to find replacements for lost free agents Brandon Lyon (signed with Detroit) and Juan Cruz (signed with Kansas City).

Right-hander Yusmeiro Petit, 24, is considered a top candidate to fill one of the vacancies, both because he can fill the dual role of long reliever/spot starter and also because he is out of options and would have to go through waivers to be sent to the minor leagues. Petit was 3-5 with a 4.31 ERA in 56 1/2 innings last year.

Right-hander Juan Gutierrez, 25, also is out of options. And although he does not have the major league track record of Petit, he has what scouts consider a better arm -- his fastball has been clocked in the low-90 mph range -- and almost certainly would not get through waivers according to scouts who have seen him throw the spring. The D-backs, too, prize inventory.

Others in competition are left-hander Doug Slaten, who spent most of the last two seasons with the D-backs; right-handers Leo Rosales, Billy Buckner and Bobby Korecky and lefty Travis Blackley. Rosales was 1-1 with a 4.20 ERA in 27 games for the D-backs last season, and he might have an inside track to pitch the sixth or seventh inning.