27-year old lefty swinging catcher Miguel Montero has been very consistently good with the bat for the Diamondbacks so far this year. Montero has played in 23 games so far in May and he is 23 for 78 (.295 avg, .825 OPS) with 13 runs scored, 2 homers and 16 RBIs. He has now played in 48 games for the D-Backs this year and he is 47 for 164 (.287 avg, .838 OPS) with 26 runs scored, 6 homers and 27 RBIs. The Diamondbacks are glad to finally see what a healthy Miguel Montero can do both with the bat and behind the plate. They have their fingers crossed that Montero will stay healthy the whole year.

The Arizona Diamondbacks have placed 27-year old righty reliever Juan Gutierrez on the 15-day disabled list due to right shoulder inflammation. Gutierrez has pitched in 20 games (0 starts) so far this year for the D-Backs and he is 0-0 with a 5.40 ERA and a 1.69 WHIP. He has given up 22 hits and walked 9 batters in his first 18 1/3 innings this year, which helps explain the high ERA and WHIP. But, he also has 23 whiffs so far this year which shows that he is throwing the ball well when his control is in sync. The D-Backs hope that Gutierrez returns soon as the bullpen has been pretty effective so far this year.

33-year old righty reliever Jose Valverde is currently the closer for the Detroit Tigers, but he is still the D-Backs’ all-time leader in saves. His best year came in 2007 with the Diamondbacks. He pitched in 65 games (0 starts) with the D-Backs in 2007 and he was 1-4 with 47 saves, a 2.66 ERA and a 1.12 WHIP. Valverde led the majors in saves in 2007. He pitched in 253 games (0 starts) in his 7 years with the Diamondbacks and he was 9-14 with 98 saves, a 3.29 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP. Valverde is the D-Backs’ all-time leader in both games pitched (253) and saves (98). He is also #9 in D-Backs’ history with 331 strikeouts. He was a very solid pitcher with the Diamondbacks.

The Diamondbacks have placed 25-year old righty reliever Sam Demel on the 15-day disabled list due to right shoulder tendinitis. Demel has pitched in 21 games (0 starts) for the D-Backs so far this year and he is 1-2 with a 1.72 ERA and a 1.40 WHIP. The Diamondbacks have called up 27-year old righty reliever Kam Mickolio to replace Demel in the bullpen. Mickolio pitched in 4 games (0 starts) for the D-Backs earlier this year and he is 0-0 with a 9.00 ERA and a 1.80 WHIP.

The Diamondbacks have designated 30-year old righty swinging infielder Josh Wilson for assignment. Wilson has played in 6 games for the D-Backs this year and he was 2 for 10 (.200 avg, .500 OPS) with 3 runs scored, 0 homers and 1 RBI. The Diamondbacks needed Wilson’s roster spot so that they could activate Melvin Mora from the D.L. Wilson should clear waivers and the D-Backs hope he will accept a minor league assignment.

UPDATE (5/25/2011) - The Brewers claimed Josh Wilson off waivers.