Diamondbacks To Sign Alexi Ogando

The Diamondbacks have a minor league deal in place with righty Alexi Ogando, according to SB Nation’s Chris Cotillo (via Twitter). Ogando had been looking for a new opportunity after he was designated and released by the Braves in late June.

The 32-year-old veteran was carrying a sub-4.00 ERA over 32 innings, but that covered over some issues. He was putting up 8.2 K/9 but also walking 6.5 batters per nine. Ogando’s velocity, swinging-strike rate, and percentage of pitches in the zone are all at typical levels. But his chase rate was sitting at a career-low 20.8%, suggesting that opposing hitters were picking up on his efforts to induce swings on pitches out of the zone.

All told, there’s reason to believe that some tweaks could get him back on track, though the recent track record hasn’t exactly been terribly inspiring. Since returning to the pen for the 2014 season, Ogando owns a 4.56 ERA with 7.7 K/9 and 4.9 BB/9 over 122 1/3 frames. There’s little risk for Arizona, however, as the Braves will remain obligated for his full $2MM salary — less a prorated portion of the league minimum.