Diamondbacks Fire Pitching Coach Brent Strom

The Arizona Diamondbacks have fired pitching coach Brent Strom, along with assistant pitching coach Dan Carlson and bullpen coach Mike Fetters, following a season where they missed the playoffs despite leading MLB in runs scored. The team's pitching struggled significantly, finishing with a 4.62 ERA, which ranked 27th in the league, and an opponents' batting average of .262, second-worst in the NL. General manager Mike Hazen acknowledged injuries hampered the pitching staff but believed the team had enough depth to perform better. Strom, who previously had a successful tenure with the Houston Astros, expressed surprise at his dismissal as he had a year remaining on his contract. The Diamondbacks' owner criticized a costly signing of pitcher Jordan Montgomery, who had a disappointing season. The coaching shakeup suggests a desire for a fresh approach as the team aims to improve for the next season.