The Arizona Diamondbacks have bolstered their pitching staff by signing veteran right-handed pitcher Anthony DeSclafani to a major league contract and have added him to their active roster as of Sunday. This move comes as the Diamondbacks also optioned right-hander Bryce Jarvis to Triple-A Reno and transferred Justin Martinez to the 60-day injured list due to an impending season-ending elbow surgery.
DeSclafani, who previously played for the New York Yankees’ Triple-A team, brings considerable experience to the mound with 180 major league games under his belt, having previously played for Miami, Cincinnati, and San Francisco. After struggling with an elbow flexor strain that cut short his 2023 season, he has recently shown promise in the minor leagues.
“I’m feeling good,” DeSclafani stated. “Just trying to get back in the groove of things coming off of surgery… I have three new pitches,” he added, noting that he has added a split-change, a sweeper, and a gyro to his repertoire.
His arrival is crucial for the Diamondbacks, especially following the placement of Tommy Henry on the injured list due to left elbow soreness. Henry’s situation mirrors that of other team pitchers, including A.J. Puk and Justin Martinez, as the team seeks second opinions on their injury statuses. Their depth has been significantly challenged with several starters sidelined, including Cristian Mena with a teres major strain and Jordan Montgomery and Blake Walston undergoing Tommy John surgeries.
As the Diamondbacks continue to navigate these injury challenges, DeSclafani’s return to form could provide much-needed support, giving hope to fans that the team can regain its competitive edge in the coming games.