This story was excerpted from Steve Gilbert’s D-backs Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

DENVER -- In the scope of a 162-game season, 12 games qualifies as a small sample size, but it can feel a lot bigger because, well, it’s all we’ve got to go on.

So when the D-backs get off to a 5-7 start coming off a World Series appearance, my email inbox fills with anxious Arizona fans and the discourse online can have a bit of panic in it.

Let’s try and lower the temperature and calm the nerves just a bit with a look at three reasons why you shouldn’t be worried about the D-backs' start:

1. They're without a number of key contributors who will be back soon
Let’s not forget that in another 10 days or so, the D-backs will likely add left-hander Jordan Montgomery to their rotation.

Signed just days before Opening Day, Montgomery is getting stretched out and into game shape with Triple-A Reno. A big pickup by the Rangers at last year’s Trade Deadline, the D-backs will be adding Montgomery to their rotation in late April.

Speaking of left-handed pitchers, Eduardo Rodriguez, who was signed to a four-year free-agent deal in December, is coming along well in his rehab from a left lat strain. He’s been throwing bullpen sessions without any discomfort and will likely get into some sim game action soon.

After that, Rodriguez will need a Minor League rehab assignment, but he too should be able to join the rotation in May.

2. The bullpen will get better
There’s been some concern about the D-backs' bullpen after the series in Atlanta, but there a couple of things to remember about that, beginning with the fact that the Braves are a really good offensive team.

And the D-backs are without their closer, Paul Sewald.

Yes, Kevin Ginkel did an amazing job last year, particularly in the postseason, but having Sewald just makes everything better. We saw that last year when Arizona acquired him at the Trade Deadline. His presence in the 'pen and the fact that he was going to pitch the ninth allowed everyone else to settle into their role.

Sewald continues to play catch and has not had any issues with the strained left oblique so there is optimism that he won’t have to miss as much time as initially feared.

3. Corbin Carroll is not going to hit .227 this year
Carroll is not off to a great start at the plate, but does anyone really believe that last year’s Rookie of the Year has suddenly forgotten how to hit?

No matter how good a player is, he’s going to go through some struggles over the course of a long season. With Carroll, it just so happens that it’s the beginning of the year so it gets magnified.

By the way, he was hitting .233 after 12 games last year and he had a 12-game stretch from Aug. 1-14 last year where he hit .163.

So let’s stop the overreacting to these first dozen games. Carroll is going to get rolling again and when he does, it’s going to be impressive and the offense will take off with him.