Let’s do better
Roster moves
The Arizona Diamondbacks made the following roster moves. The D-backs’ 40-man roster is at 40.
- Selected from Triple-A Reno: RHP Jeff Brigham (No. 34)
- Signed as a Major League free agent: INF Ildemaro Vargas (No. 6)
- Optioned to Reno: RHP Kevin Ginkel
- Optioned to Reno following Wednesday’s game: INF Jordan Lawlar
- Designated for assignment: LHP Joe Mantiply
Certainly a lot to unpack here. Brigham is probably the least-known name, but has five seasons of major-league experience, mostly in Miami. The 33-year-old signed for Arizona as a free-agent in December, and has a 5.23 ERA over 17 appearances for Reno: bear in mind, the PCL average ERA is 5.15. Vargas returns for his FOURTH spell with the club, having previously signed in 2015, 2021 and earlier this year, before exercising an opt-out clause to escape that minor-league contract, only to re-sign a major-league deal. He came closest in his career to a full-time job last season, appearing 95 times for the Nationals, with an OPS+ of 75 – in line with his career figure of 77.
The departures are not unexpected either. Reports indicate that Ginkel needs to figure out his fastball control, and Lawlar’s struggles with breaking pitches have been very well documented. We may not have seen the last of either man this year, but they will both certainly be motivated to improve on performances which offer a lot of scope for that. Finally, Mantiply loses his 40-man roster spot, less than two years after starting Game 4 of the 2023 World Series against the Rangers. But this year has been a real struggle for Joe, opposing batters hitting .481 against him. A BABIP of .512 is a factor in his 15.83 ERA – but so is allowing five home-runs in only 58 batters faced.
After a series against Pittsburgh which started very promisingly, before collapsing into severe disappointment, the D-backs will seek to get back in the groove against the Nationals. Hopefully the new blood can help the bullpen stave off what has become an almost nightly parade of concern, and if the offense can go back to geting hits with runners in scoring position, that would also be helpful. Starting pitcher Merrill Kelly might be the person tonight about whom I have least concern, but after the events of late, I’m not going to make any predictions about what may come to pass! As long as we come out on the winning side, that’s all I’m really bothered about.