WHAT HAPPENED:

– Quiet day on the Stephen Drew front. He was given a break from grounders today.

– D-backs pitchers threw bullpens and went through drills.

– Position players continued to report early.

WHAT WE LEARNED:

– Gerardo Parra is going to say all the right things about losing his starting job.

You have to believe he’s not happy with being a fourth outfielder, but Parra handled things with class Wednesday. I think it helps that he came to camp last year without a job and wound up being the starter in left.

– J.J. Putz is working on a cutter.

He didn’t sound overly thrilled with where he was at with the pitch, but is going to use it in games this spring.

“I don’t even know if it’s going to turn into anything,” Putz said.

Putz would mainly use the pitch as a way to keep the ball in on lefties. His fastball has a tendency to fade back over the plate when he’s trying to get it inside against lefties so even if the cutter doesn’t move a lot, if it at least prevents the fade, he will take it.

– Manager Kirk Gibson does not like the talk of expectations.

This one is not a surprise for anyone who has heard or read Gibson’s comments about Justin Upton over the past year and a half. Gibson went out of his way to mention that he does not want unfair expectations to be placed on No. 1 pick Trevor Bauer.

– Ryan Roberts appears to be in good shape again.

Remember Roberts slacked during the offseason following his success in 2009 and it cost him in 2010. It’s a lesson he apparently has not forgotten.

WHAT’S COMING UP:

– The Young Guns will be throwing again Thursday.

– The workout should start with stretching around 9:30 a.m. Wednesday and run till noonish. More bullpen sessions.

– Reminder: workouts are open to the public. They are free as is parking before games get underway.

You can park in the Desert Parking Lot and walk to any of the fields. The best vantage point for the covered batting cages and the pitching mounds — where the bullpen sessions happen — can be accessed by walking up the ramp behind them.

That’s all for today.  Remember…
You can follow me on Twitter
10 days until spring opener
44 days until Opening Day vs. Giants

WHAT HAPPENED:

– Stephen Drew took grounders for the second straight day and second time since his injury.

– D-backs pitchers threw bullpens and went through drills.

WHAT WE LEARNED:

– Takashi Saito will be the primary seventh-inning guy.

So said manager Kirk Gibson on Tuesday. He kind of just dropped that in his answer to a question about J.J. Putz. As with everything, though, it’s subject to change and Gibson did say he wasn’t ruling out throwing Saito earlier than the seventh.

– The D-backs have some nasty arms coming up through their farm system.

OK, so maybe we already knew that, but we got to see some of them up close Tuesday. Trevor Bauer, Tyler Skaggs, Patrick Corbin, Evan Marshall et al threw and were extremely impressive.

It was clear that Gibson was impressed with what he saw, but also that he didn’t want to get too carried away.

“You don’t want to get too excited about it,” Gibson said. “They threw the ball good, we all know what their abilities are.”

– Trevor Cahill’s sinker is really, really good.

OK, yeah I wrote this yesterday as well, but today I had the chance to briefly talk to Miguel Montero about what it was like to catch Cahill for the first time Monday. Montero said he felt like each time he caught a sinker he was “catching a hammer.”

– Drew is on pace so far.

Talked briefly with him after he finished taking grounders and he said again that he had a good day and was encouraged. He will get a day off from that Wednesday.

– David Hernandez is not sure how he got the nickname “Hardball.”

He thinks it was Daniel Hudson who gave it to him, but he doesn’t seem to be too bothered by it.

“I guess I’m alright with it,” he said. “It’s better than being called ‘Slowball.’”

LINKS:

– Speaking of Hernandez…

– Putz will be on different schedule this year…

– Bauer learns about “Gibby Time”…

– Skaggs impressive in first bullpen session…

WHAT’S COMING UP:

– The workout should start with stretching around 9:30 a.m. Wednesday and run till noonish. More bullpen sessions. The pitchers who threw Monday — Ian Kennedy, Hudson, Joe Saunders etc. — will throw Wednesday.

– For those of you who have asked, yes, workouts are open to the public. They are free as is parking before games get underway.

You can park in the Desert Parking Lot and walk to any of the fields. The best vantage point for the covered batting cages and the pitching mounds — where the bullpen sessions happen — can be accessed by walking up the ramp behind them.

That’s all for today.  Remember…
You can follow me on Twitter
11 days until spring opener
45 days until Opening Day vs. Giants

First day of actual action out at Salt River Fields today. Let’s get right to it…

WHAT HAPPENED:

– Stephen Drew took grounders for the first time since his injury.

– D-backs pitchers had a relatively light day with some throwing bullpens and going through drills.

– Kirk Gibson and Kevin Towers both addressed the media.

– Both men said that pitchers will have to earn their roles.

WHAT WE LEARNED:

– D-backs fans are fired up about 2012.

I was pleasantly surprised by the turnout for the first workout. I can’t remember this many fans being here last year. The enthusiasm Monday and at FanFest has not gone unnoticed by the players.

“It was great to see that kind of turnout at FanFest,” Justin Upton said. “To keep those kind of fans locked in we have to play good baseball.”

– Takashi Saito did not have to take a physical upon signing. That caught me off guard. Can’t remember ever hearing that before.

– Trevor Cahill’s sinker really does look heavy.

Was impressive watching him throw his bullpen session and you can see why some people say his sinker is like Brandon Webb’s.

“Good arm, I mean, c’mon what’s not to like?” Gibson said when asked what he thought after watching Cahill throw.

– Chris Young is fired up for the season.

“I agree completely with him,” he said referring to Gibson’s comments Sunday about the team not accomplishing enough last year. “We didn’t win a World Series last year so there’s a lot to improve on and a lot of things we have to get better at. Last year’s results don’t have anything to do with this year. We have to continue to work to get better. Nobody is going to give us anything. We’re going to have to earn every bit of it.”

– The D-backs are still looking for catching and middle infield depth at the upper levels of their system.

“If we were to make a trade,” Towers said. “Those are areas that we think we need to kind of fill a void that we currently have in our system.”

WHAT’S COMING UP:

– The workout should start with stretching around 9:30 a.m. Tuesday and run till noonish. The Young Guns — Trevor Bauer, Tyler Skaggs et al should be throwing bullpens.

– For those of you who have asked, yes, workouts are open to the public. They are free as is parking before games get underway.

You can park in the Desert Parking Lot and walk to any of the fields. The best vantage point for the covered batting cages and the pitching mounds — where the bullpen sessions happen — can be accessed by walking up the ramp behind them.

That’s all for today.  Remember…
You can follow me on Twitter
12 days until spring opener
46 days until Opening Day vs. Giants

Greetings everyone. Today was technically the day pitchers and catchers were scheduled to report, but they didn’t actually have to show up at Salt River Fields and with this being a Sunday, all but a few stayed home.

Things start in earnest Monday and I just wanted to give you an idea of what you can expect from the blog this year.

For starters, there will be actual posts. I know, I know my posting frequency was not good last year in large part because so much of my notes content winds up on the site before games anyway.

So with that in mind, I’m going to change things up a little bit and try something different. Each day I’ll try to do a daily wrap up of what happened, maybe a tidbit or two or three that didn’t get into one of my stories and some information for the next day. In the mornings, I’ll try to get some links posted for you from the coverage of the day before and of course some photos.

My intention is that this blog will be a good place for you to go a couple of times a day to keep tabs on all things D-backs. You can also follow me on Twitter at @SteveGilbertMLB for updates and random thoughts/photos throughout the day.

I’m also always open to suggestions for what you want to see here, because after all this exists for you. So hit me with any thoughts you have at steve.gilbert@mlb.com.

Here’s a recap of the first day such as it was…

WHAT HAPPENED:

– A handful of pitchers worked out at Salt River Fields, among them Takashi Saito, Mike Zagurski and Joe Martinez.

– Kirk Gibson took question from the media for around a half hour.

– That’s it. Told you it wasn’t an action-packed day.

WHAT WE LEARNED:

– D-backs camp should be every bit as intense as last year.

You’ll remember that one of the reasons cited for the team’s dismal Spring Training record in 2011 was the fact that they were beat by the time the games rolled around in the afternoon.

Gibson is far less worried about the spring record than he is about getting the team tougher mentally and physically so while he might let up a little bit in terms of the time spent, it won’t be by much and he’s certainly not going to worry about what the record might be.

– Pickoffs and holding runners are going to be a big point of emphasis again.

Varying their hold times makes pitchers uncomfortable and forces them to focus on something other than throwing a pitch. But last year’s emphasis on this did pay off as the D-backs were a much harder team to run on so look for it to continue this year.

– Stephen Drew will take grounders Monday.

This will be his first time doing so since his surgery and as with everything that involves Drew this year, it will be watched closely.

– Gibson has not talked to Gerardo Parra about the acquisition of Jason Kubel.

This one still perplexes me. Parra had a very good year at the plate, won a Gold Glove and winds up losing his starting job. Gibson has yet to explain things to Parra, but said Sunday that he is certain Parra will have a great attitude this spring.

One other note on Parra is that Gibson mentioned he would like to see him become better in center field. He’s obviously very good at the corners, but the organization feels he could improve in center, which will be important since he figures to get more playing time there than last year.

– Gibson is loathe to talk about roster spots this early.

Yes, it sure looks like the 25-man roster is virtually set heading into camp, but Gibson will do his best to downplay that throughout camp and drum up competition.

He pointed out Monday that last heading into last spring, Paul Goldschmidt, Josh Collmenter and Bryan Shaw were not talked about as being key contributors for 2011. They all opened the staff’s eyes during camp and voila there they were during the season.

“There are Goldys, Shaws and Collmenters in our locker room,” Gibson said. “Who are they? That’s one of the things that Spring Training is all about.”

WHAT’S COMING UP:

– The workout will be shorter than usual Monday and it won’t get started until around 1 p.m. as the team undergoes physicals in the morning. Below is a picture of the full schedule just as the players see it each day.

– For those of you who have asked, yes, workouts are open to the public. They are free as is parking before games get underway.

You can park in the Desert Parking Lot and walk to any of the fields. The best vantage point for the covered batting cages and the pitching mounds — where the bullpen sessions happen — can be accessed by walking up the ramp behind them.

Generally workouts start around 9:15 or so with some stretching, but of course that can vary from day to day. I will try and keep you posted each day on what to expect for the coming day.

That’s all for today.  Remember…

13 days until spring opener

47 days until Opening Day vs. Giants

PHOENIX — It was a busy Tuesday morning for the D-backs.

After reaching a settlement just moments before a salary-arbitration hearing with catcher Miguel Montero, the D-backs settled with another salary-arbitration eligible player in third baseman Ryan Roberts.

According to Roberts agency, Beverly Hills Sports Council, the deal is worth $2.0125.

More than anyone, Roberts typified the 2011 season for the upstart D-backs. A long shot to make the team in Spring Training, he led all of baseball in batting average during the spring and wound up as the club’s Opening Day third baseman.

Roberts went on to hit .249 with 86 runs scored, 25 doubles, 19 homers and 65 RBIs while getting on base at a .341 clip as the D-backs unexpectedly won 94 games and the National League West title.

Roberts had asked for $2.275 million when arbitration figures were exchanged a couple of weeks ago and the D-backs submitted a $1.65 million figure.

The Montero and Roberts signings leave the D-backs with left-handed reliever Craig Breslow as their lone unsigned arbitration-eligible player.

PHOENIX — Just moments before a scheduled salary-arbitration was scheduled to begin the D-backs and catcher Miguel Montero settled on a one-year deal worth $5.9 million.

“I was sitting in the [hearing] room,” Montero said by phone from Tampa. “I was getting a bottle of water right before it was supposed to start and they told me to step outside to talk.”

When arbitration numbers were exchanged a couple of weeks ago, Montero filed at $6.8 million, while the D-backs came in at $5.4 million. The arbitrator would have had to pick one of the two figures.

“It feels so nice,” Montero said of having the issue settled. “I feel relieved and happy to get it done, man. I can’t wait to get to Spring Training and start playing. That’s the fun part. That’s what it’s all about. We’re going to have a good team again this year.”

The D-backs pitchers and catchers report on Feb. 20 and have their first workout the following day.

Montero has said he would like to stay with the D-backs long-term and while the two sides have talked this offseason about a multi-year deal, they have not been able to get one done. Montero will be eligible for free agency following the 2012 season.

“I don’t know what’s going to happen,” Montero said. “I haven’t thought about that yet, just about arbitration so we’ll see what happens.”

In 2011, Montero led National League catchers in doubles (36), RBIs (84) and slugging percentage (.471) and was second in home runs (18) and on-base plus slugging (.821).

The D-backs have not gone to a salary-arbitration hearing with a player since they lost to Damian Miller in 2001 and have been to a hearing just twice in franchise history. They beat Jorge Fabregas in 1998.

The D-backs still have two unsigned players eligible for salary arbitration this year in third baseman Ryan Roberts and left-handed reliever Craig Breslow.

Here are contract details for some deals reached by the D-backs this winter:

– Reliever Takashi Saito, signed to a one-year $1.75 million deal in mid-December has a clause in his contract where the D-backs where pay for an interpreter with a maximum salary of $45,000. In addition, Saito gets eight round-trip business class tickets from Tokyo to Arizona.

– A perk in left-hander Joe Saunders’ one-year $6 million deal, is a hotel suite during road trips.

– Outfielder Jason Kubel will receive $7.5 million in 2012 and 2013 with a mutual option of $7.5 million for 2014. Kubel will receive a $500,000 buyout if the club declines his option.

– Non-roster invitee Cody Ransom has a split contract that pays him $19,000 per month while in Minor Leagues and a salary of $500,000 if he’s in the big leagues. If he is not on the Major League roster on April 4, Ransom can request his release. The D-backs then have 24 hours to grant him that release or add him to the roster.

– Non-roster invitee Jason Lane has a split contract that pays him $10,000 a month in the Minor Leagues and $500,000 if in the big leagues.

PHOENIX — Could Bartolo Colon be the fifth starter the D-backs have been looking for?

The D-backs seem to believe so as a baseball source said they were in talks to sign the right-hander.

Colon was 8-10 with a 4.00 ERA in 29 games (26 starts) for the Yankees last season. The 38-year-old did not pitch in 2010 and signed a Minor League deal with the Yankees after undergoing stem cell treatment for elbow and rotator cuff injuries.

Thanks to a strong performance in the spring, Colon made the Yankees roster and was an effective starter before seeming to tire down the stretch. In September, Colon posted a 5.96 ERA and was not added to the team’s postseason roster.

The D-backs rotation currently consists of Ian Kennedy, Daniel Hudson, Trevor Cahill and Josh Collmenter with the fifth spot set to come from a group of young pitchers that includes among others Wade Miley, Barry Enright, Tyler Skaggs, Trevor Bauer and Charles Brewer.

Given the youth and inexperience of that group, the D-backs had hoped to add a veteran fifth starter as added depth in case none of the young starters were able to make the jump to the big leagues.

– Steve Gilbert

PHOENIX — The D-backs have agreed to terms with free agent outfielder Jason Kubel on a two-year contract with an option, a baseball source confirmed Monday.

The move is somewhat surprising in that the D-backs had not been linked in any rumors to Kubel, nor had it seemed were they in the market for an outfielder.

Kubel, 29, hit .273 with 12 homers and 58 RBIs for the Twins in 2011. He was originally drafted by Minnesota in the 12th round of the 2000 First-Year Player Draft.

Kubel’s best season came in 2009 when he hit .300 with 28 homers, 103 RBIs and a career-best .907 OPS (on-base plus slugging). Over the last five seasons he has an OPS+ of over 100. OPS+ is a weighted metric that takes into account a multitude of factors and mark of 100 is considered average. Last season, Kubel’s OPS+ was 111.

Over his career, Kubel has split his time between right and left fields. With the D-backs, it would appear that he would become the starting left fielder with Gerardo Parra being shifted to a fourth outfield position or used in a trade to acquire another position of need.

Parra won a Gold Glove for his work in left last year and he hit .292 with eight homers and 46 RBIs. He can play all three outfield positions well making him an ideal backup. How many opportunities there will be, though, remains to be seen. Center fielder Chris Young played in 156 games last year while right fielder Justin Upton appeared in 159.

– Steve Gilbert

PHOENIX — The D-backs are closing in on a one-year deal with free agent reliever Takashi Saito, a baseball source confirmed Monday.

Saito, 41, was 4-2 with a 2.03 ERA for the Brewers in 2011 while being limited to 30 games with oblique and calf issues.

In six seasons, the Japanese born right-hander has a 2.18 ERA and 84 saves. He had a career-best 39 saves with the Dodgers in 2007.

The D-backs had been in the market for a veteran reliever to pitch in a setup role and Saito certainly fits the bill. They expressed interest in him during last week’s Winter Meetings, but GM Kevin Towers wanted to wait until getting a veteran starting pitcher signed so he knew how much money he would have left in his budget.

– Steve Gilbert