PHOENIX -- Catcher Oscar Hernandez and Cuban pitcher Yoan Lopez are among eight Diamondbacks assigned to the Salt River Rafters for the 2015 Arizona Fall League.
Hernandez, a Rule 5 draftee who would have to be offered back to Tampa Bay if he were assigned to the minor leagues, has seen extremely limited playing time while spending the 2015 season on the major-league roster. Lopez has pitched sparingly for Double-A Mobile after receiving an $8.27-million bonus to sign with the D-backs in January.
The other D-backs minor leaguers assigned to Salt River are left-handed pitchers Daniel Gibson and Keith Hessler, right-handed pitcher Adam Miller, infielder Jack Reinheimer, outfielder Daniel Palka and outfielder Gabby Guerrero. Guerrero was named to the taxi squad, meaning he is eligible to play only for Wednesday and Sunday games.
Guerrero and Reinheimer were acquired in the Mark Trumbo trade that also brought catcher Welington Castillo to Arizona. They have been playing for Double-A Mobile.
Palka is in the midst of a big season for the D-backs' Advanced A League team in Visalia. He leads the team's minor-league system with 28 home runs and also has 86 RBI and 23 stolen bases.
Larry Pardo will serve as pitching coach and Jason Camilli as hitting coach.
The Salt River team, which plays home games at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale, also includes players from the Blue Jays, Mets, Rockies and Nationals organizations. The Fall League season begins on Oct. 4.
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