Sun Mar 30 17:30:34 2008

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Big Unit, Montero, Tracy to start year on DL for D-Backs

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Phoenix, AZ (Sports Network) - The Arizona Diamondbacks announced that left- handed pitcher Randy Johnson, along with catcher Miguel Montero and infielder Chad Tracy, will begin the season on the disabled list upon finalizing their opening day roster Sunday.

The 44-year-old Johnson, who owns 284 career victories in 20 major league season, had offseason back surgery, and his placement on the DL is retroactive to March 22. In the first season of his second stint with Arizona, Johnson made just 10 starts in 2007, going 4-3 with a 3.81 ERA amd 72 strikeouts.

The 6-foot-10 lefty spent six seasons in Phoenix from 1999 to 2004, winning at least 15 games five times and helping the franchise to its only World Series title in 2001.

Montero has been sidelined since March 23 with a fractured right finger. The 25-year-old Venezuelan appeared in 84 games for the NL West-champion Diamondbacks in 2007, compiling a .224 batting average to go with 10 home runs and 37 runs batted in during his first full tour in the majors.

Tracy, who is coming off surgery on his right knee, was also a part-time starter a season ago, hitting .264 with seven homers and 35 RBI in 227 at- bats. A left-handed hitter, Tracy saw his role reduced with the emergence of rookie Mark Reynolds, who will likely start the season at the hot corner for the D-Backs.