The Arizona Diamondbacks recalled right-handed pitcher Matt Peacock from the team’s alternate training site on Friday and sent down fellow reliever Riley Smith.
Peacock made his MLB debut on April 6 but was sent down a week later when the D-backs activated starting pitcher Zac Gallen.
Peacock appeared in three games during his first stint in the majors, allowing two hits, two walks with three strikeouts and no earned runs in 5.1 innings.
In his debut, he recorded a hit and a win while appearing in extra innings, something nobody had done in MLB in 76 years.
Manager Torey Lovullo said on April 13 that sending Peacock down to the alternate training site despite the early success was a natural part of the pitcher’s progression.
“He’s emerging,” the manager said. “He’s walking through the early parts of his big league career perfectly. We want to see that continue. He’s got an unbelievable attitude, and the stuff complements everything he does every single day. We haven’t seen the last of Matt Peacock, that’s what we explained to him.”
It appears the Diamondbacks are taking the same approach with Smith, who only has 10 MLB games under his belt over the past two seasons.
Smith has made four appearances in 2021 with one start and one victory.
He holds a 4.15 ERA in 13.0 frames, with seven strikeouts, six walks and six earned runs so far.
Smith was optioned Thursday after he allowed two hits and two earned runs via a home run during a 0.1-inning appearance.