By Jack Magruder, Tribune
TUCSON - Original Diamondback Matt Williams, in camp as an adviser this spring, was named a special assistant to general partner Jeff Moorad on Monday, expanding on a friendship and working relationship that extends nearly 20 years.
Williams will assist in the baseball operations department, serve as a TV and radio analyst and host a segment on the D-Backs’ pregame show on Ch. 3.
"It’s time we begin reconnecting with the successes of the past, and anytime you can add a Matt Williams to your staff, you jump at the opportunity,’’ said Moorad, a former agent for Williams.
A four-time Gold Glove winner with 378 career home runs, Williams has been working both in hitting and defensive drills this spring.
He joined the D-Backs in their inaugural 1998 season in the latter stages of a 17-year major league career that ended in 2003. He finished third in the NL MVP voting in 1999 and tied for the team high with seven RBIs in the 2001 World Series.
Williams had input in offseason roster changes and said this season "is kind of a step back to where we were two years ago, in essence, where this is no-nonsense time now.
"We had the down year and don’t want that to continue, so the objective here is to be prepared for every game and be ready to go on opening day with a workmanlike attitude and presence on the field,’’ he said.
ESTES READY
Left-hander Shawn Estes participated in pitchers’ fielding practice Monday for the first time this spring and is ready to pitch an inning in the intrasquad game Wednesday,
manager Bob Melvin said.
Javier Vazquez will start for the White team and Estes for the Gray team in a fiveinning game to be played on the back field at Tucson Electric Park. Luis Gonzalez and Troy Glaus will serve as designated hitters on opposite teams as the D-Backs continue to be cautious while each recovers from surgery.
Of Gonzalez, Melvin said: "I would be comfortable running him out there (left field) now, but for no longer than four innings.’’
SCOUTING CHANGES
The Diamondbacks’ seven professional scouts will fan out to spring training sites in the Cactus and Grapefruit leagues today after a threeday series of meetings here to familiarize themselves with both the major and minor league players in the system.
The D-Backs have instituted a new coverage plan this season, in which each scout will have several organizations and be responsible for all the clubs in that organization, from rookie level to Class AAA. Previously, scouts worked in regions, regardless of organizational affiliation.
This way, one person will have a handle on all of an organization’s prospects — and know how they compare to players in the D-Backs’ system — when opinions on trades or free agent signings are needed.
"It costs more, but you get better coverage,’’ said new DBacks assistant general manager Bob Gebhard, the former Colorado general manager most recently with St. Louis.
SHORT HOPS
Right-hander Tony Pena broke three bats while throwing batting practice Monday, one as new scout Bill Singer looked on. "I love that sound,’’ said Singer, a two-time 20-game winner in his 14-year major league career. . . . Righthander Juan Acevedo looked sharp in his second batting practice session, Melvin said, as the DBacks continue to take stock of their bullpen candidates. . . .
Shortstop Jerry Gil is to undergo arthroscopic surgery Friday to repair a meniscus tear in his right knee, suffered while he was stretching last Thursday. D-Backs physician Dr. Michael Lee will perform the surgery. Gil could be out anywhere from four weeks to four months, D-Backs trainer Paul Lessard said, depending on the severity of the tear. Gil’s injury means 2002 No. 1 draft pick Sergio Santos is almost certain to open the season at shortstop at Class AAA Tucson.
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