The last of April, and the first of Brandon Hughes
Roster moves
The Arizona Diamondbacks made the following roster moves:
- Selected contract: LHP Brandon Hughes (No. 56)
- Optioned to Triple-A Reno following last night’s game: LHP Tommy Henry
- Transferred to the 60-day injured list: LHP Kyle Nelson (left shoulder inflammation)
The D-backs’ 40-man roster remains at 40.
This could be a short-term move, giving an extra bullpen arm until the next time the rotation spot comes up, by which point Ryne Nelson could be ready to return and start. That would be Sunday. Interesting that the team now has four left-handers in the bullpen: as well as Hughes, there’s Andrew Saalfrank, Logan Allen and Joe Mantiply. Speaking of Nelson-related news, the other one – reliever Kyle – will have thoracic outlet surgery, explaining his move to the 60-day IL above. As Jack writes, it’s a slightly different form of the ailment and procedure from the one underwent by Merrill Kelly towards the end of the 2020 season. But it will still mean Nelson misses several months.
As for Hughes, he had a good 2022 for the Cubs, but then struggled in 2023, posting a 7.24 ERA over 17 games with Chicago. He was cut loose in November, and signed as a free-agent with the Diamondbacks on February 1st. He has been putting up decent numbers so far in Triple-A, allowing only three earned runs over 14.2 innings, a 1.84 ERA which is impressive given the PCL environment. However, this has come with a K:BB ratio of only 12:9. That and a BABIP of 2.56 suggests he may not be good as that ERA would suggest. He has been working in extended relief – six of his ten outings have involved him recording four outs or more – so could be another alternative there for the Diamondbacks.