The D-backs announced that they’ve designated right-hander Josh Collmenter and utilityman Mike Freeman for assignment. The moves clear room for lefties Steve Hathaway and Adam Loewen on the 40-man and 25-man rosters. Arizona also optioned Zac Curtis to Triple-A Reno.
The DFA of Collmenter, who was Arizona’s Opening Day starter in 2015, is at least somewhat surprising. While the right-hander has had mixed results after assuming a bullpen role this season, he’s pitched to a 4.84 ERA with 17 strikeouts against 11 walks to go along with a 47.7 percent ground-ball rate this season. Collmenter has made 15 appearances and, as the Arizona Republic’s Nick Piecoro points out (via Twitter), delivered a scoreless outing in 12 of those games. However, he’s been torched in his other three appearances, allowing four runs in each of them, resulting in his lackluster earned run average.
Collmenter is earning just $1.85MM this season, and his track record — 3.49 ERA in 637 MLB innings prior to this season — makes that a reasonable enough price to expect that the D-backs could get some trade interest in him. At the very least, Collmenter’s salary is reasonable enough that a contending club in need of arms could place a claim if he’s placed on waivers.
Freeman, 28, made his big league debut in Arizona this season and went hitless in 11 plate appearances. He’s a career .315/.376/.421 hitter in Triple-A and has significant experience at second base and all three outfield positions.
Man, Collimenter used to be a pretty good innings eater didn’t he? What happened to him?
Collmenter hurt or something? He’s been good in past years.
And the purge begins
Adam Loewen’s still pitching? I just learned something.
He’s the most interesting career 0.3 bWAR player ever.
I saw Collmenter a few times in the Cactus League and early in the MLB season and his velocity was down. He didn’t have major league stuff. I suspect the shoulder is a problem.
The orioles should try and nab him could be a good pickup and will be guranteed a spot in the rotation
Why did the Orioles dfa Gonzalez?
They traded the wrong guy. Should have trade Chip Hale, he has no clue on how to manage. He did the same thing over and over to lose games in late innings. Never brought Josh in, How many times did Hudson get pounded in the 8th inning. Josh was scoreless in 12 out of 14 appearances. Why they stick with Hale is a big mistake. Fans are losing faith.