The normally budget-conscious Arizona Diamondbacks have been willing to spend big money over the past several years, taking chances on the notoriously volatile market of free agent starting pitching.

A person familiar with the decisions tells The Associated Press.

The Arizona Diamondbacks have laid off or furloughed about one-quarter of the teams employees because of lost revenue due to the coronavirus pandemic. Remaining staff will take pay cuts that average less than 15%, with the team's highest earners losing a bigger percentage of their income. The D-backs will continue to pay their minor league players through at least the end of June. The MLB season was suspended during spring training in March. The players union and owners are in discussions to possibly begin an abbreviated 82-game season in July, but likely without fans in attendance.