The Arizona Diamondbacks optioned relief pitcher Kevin Ginkel to the team’s alternate training site on Friday and reinstated starting pitcher Caleb Smith.
Smith will make his first start as a D-back against the Seattle Mariners on Friday. He was previously on the 45-day injured list due to the coronavirus and was acquired from the Miami Marlins in the Starling Marte trade.
Ginkel, 26, was the team’s unofficial closer after the D-backs traded Archie Bradley at the deadline to the Cincinnati Reds. In four appearances since, Ginkel was 1-for-2 in save opportunities, and also picked up a loss on Wednesday giving up two runs (one earned) in the 10th inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
“I think he threw the ball OK, but over the past couple outings we’ve noticed that the fastball command was a little inconsistent, the breaking balls just weren’t getting the swing-and-miss or in the hitting zone,” D-backs manager Torey Lovullo said.
In Thursday’s 5-2 win over the San Francisco Giants, Arizona left-hander Travis Bergen got the save for the D-backs.
Ginkel on the season has allowed 12 earned runs in 16.0 innings for a 6.75 ERA, with a WHIP of 2.13.
Smith made 44 starts for the Marlins the past two seasons, including 28 in 2019. He went 10-11 with a 4.52 ERA and gave up a league-high 33 homers.
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