Romero edges Nixon for D-Backs’ final position player spot

TUCSON - Outfielder Alex Romero won the final position player spot on the Diamondbacks’ roster Thursday, and he began the celebration by buying a phone card to give friends and family in Venezuela the news.

Trot Nixon, meanwhile, was left to decide whether to accept a minor league assignment with Triple-A Tucson or look for work elsewhere. His contract stipulates that he tell the D-Backs by today.

“It’s a pretty big surprise for me,” said Romero, 24, who hit .333 this spring and .310 with 32 doubles, six home runs and 66 RBIs for Triple-A Tucson last season after being claimed off waivers from Minnesota the previous winter.

“I feel comfortable at the plate,” he said. “This year I tried to be ready.”

Romero and Jeff Salazar, both left-handed hitters, are outfield reserves and pinch-hitting options.

Nixon had worked at first base in camp, but his absence leaves handyman Chris Burke as the top reserve first baseman behind Conor Jackson, and manager Bob Melvin said that will be a spot where Burke could play.

“I have to find a way to get Burkie into some games, and first base could be one,” Melvin said. “He’s an everyday player who does not have an everyday job.”

Burke has played every infield position this spring — including first base for the first time — and has major league experience at all three outfield spots.

Nixon, 33, was signed after a Feb. 16 workout. He hit .222 this spring.

He was unavailable for comment after hearing the news.

Melvin admitted Romero was “probably not on the radar” early in camp but his early preparation and his performance began to convince some.

Romero had a game-winning, opposite-field double in the last of the ninth inning of the D-Backs’ 7-6 victory over the White Sox in Hermosillo, Sonora, on March 2.

“That’s the first game I thought ‘that guy has a little grit in him,’ ” Melvin said.

LOOKING AHEAD

Micah Owings will start the D-Backs’ weekend series opener in Colorado on April 4, Melvin said, and Brandon Webb or Edgar Gonzalez will start the next day.

The one who does not start Saturday will start Sunday.

“Pitching and feel,” Melvin said when asked the reason.

Webb will start the season opener at Cincinnati on Monday, with Dan Haren and Doug Davis to follow.

Since the D-Backs have an off day April 13, Webb will have five days off after one of his first two starts, depending when he pitches in Colorado.

“There are some variables” in lining up the rotation, Melvin said, referring to Randy Johnson’s status.

Johnson is scheduled to start for Triple-A Tucson on Thursday, and it is undetermined how many more minor league starts he will need after that.

As far as fitting Johnson into a particular slot in the rotation when he returns, “I don’t think it really matters,” Melvin said.

“If we felt like either left-hander (Johnson, Davis) was a replica of the one before, then we’d look to do it differently. But they are two completely different types of pitchers.”

SHORT HOPS

The D-Backs drew 123,713 fans for their 16 spring training home games, an average of 7,732, trailing in the Cactus League only the Chicago Cubs (12,036) at Mesa’s Hohokam Stadium, San Francisco (9,929) at Scottsdale Stadium and Seattle (8,965) at the Peoria Sports Complex. …

Dustin Nippert, Brandon Medders, Yusmeiro Petit and Jailen Peguero remain in contention for the final two bullpen spots. An extra one is available since Johnson will open the season on the disabled list.

AT A GLANCE

Diamondbacks 8, White Sox 4
Notable pitching: Dan Haren threw 85 pitches in his final spring tuneup, giving up three hits while striking out six in seven innings. Paul Konerko and Jermaine Dye had solo homers off him. Brandon Lyon struck out two and gave up an unearned run, while Doug Slaten gave up three singles and a run. 
Notable hitting: Robby Hammock had three singles while staying in the game long enough to catch Haren and Lyon. Chris Burke scored his Cactus League-leading 19th run and had a single. He is hitting .361. Conor Jackson singled and doubled and is now hitting .364.
 

ON DECK

What: The Diamondbacks play the first of two exhibition games at Chase Field against Colorado at 6:10 p.m. today. Doug Davis will make his final spring start to prepare for his Thursday outing in Cincinnati.
TV/Radio: FSN Arizona/KTAR (92.3 FM)
Pitchers: Diamondbacks: Doug Davis, Brandon Medders, Brandon Lyon, Juan Cruz, Connor Robertson, Jailen Peguero. Colorado: Micah Bowie.
Records: D-Backs 12-17-1; Colorado 15-12.