The Diamondbacks announced today that right-hander Zach Davies has been placed on the 15-day injured list due to lower back inflammation, with left-hander Joe Mantiply recalled in a corresponding move.
It’s been a frustrating season for Davies, 30, whom the D’Backs re-signed to a $5MM deal in the winter. He made just two starts earlier in the season before getting sidelined by an oblique strain that put him out of action for about six weeks. He returned at the end of May and has made 10 more starts but has a 7.38 on the year overall and is now back on the injured list yet again. A 51.7% strand rate is probably making his ERA worse than he deserves, though his 17.8% strikeout rate and 10.4% walk rate are both worse than league average.
Davies isn’t the most essential piece of the roster in Arizona but his loss compounds a rotation issue that stands out as a weak point for the club. Merrill Kelly is also on the injured list due to a calf injury, though he could return to the club in the next week, per Steve Gilbert of MLB.com.
Even with Kelly back and Zac Gallen atop the rotation, the rest of the picture is a little shaky. Tommy Henry has a 3.89 ERA but his peripherals aren’t great, leading to a 5.08 FIP and 5.24 SIERA. Ryne Nelson has a 4.98 ERA for the year. Prospect Brandon Pfaadt has struggled in his opportunities with a 9.82 ERA on the year so far.
It’s unclear how long Davies is expected to be out but will undergo an MRI tomorrow, relays Gilbert. Regardless of the severity of the issue, his absence seemingly only enhances the club’s need to add starting pitching at the deadline, something that general manager Mike Hazen has already admitted will be a priority. The club was leading the National League West for much of the year but has since slid to third place behind the Dodgers and Giants, though they do still possess a Wild Card spot. The August 1 trade deadline is now less than two weeks away.
Put Mantiply in the rotation! He’s already been categorically misused in the bullpen over the last two seasons.
Blake Snell of the Padres is rumored to be available, though A.J. Preller is normally loathe to deal with divisional rivals (especially those way ahead of San Diego in the standings). Snell is probably as good a starter as might be available in the run-up to the trade deadline.
That being said, what would the D’backs be willing to give up to add a former Cy Young lefty to their rotation as a probable #3 starter? Padres would most likely be looking for a package of advanced (AA or AAA) pitching and outfield prospects to restock a depleted farm system.
voice
Snell is having an excellent season, I like him. In the last season of his 5 year, $50M contract, he’s a rental, though better than any of the rumored available starters this year.
Hazen was planning to be ultra aggressive earlier this month, but now just aggressive. I agree with this approach.
So I’d offer a package of #9 Prospect Slade Cecconi, AAA SP, AA starter Chad Patrick, #14 Prospect Dominic Fletcher CF and #19 Prospect Dominic Canzone OF/1b. But Only if the Padres picked up all of Snell’s remaining contract. Otherwise, I’d only offer Cecconi and Fletcher.
> Put Mantiply in the rotation!
Matt Mantei? Didn’t he retire like 20 yrs ago?
Addition by subtraction.
Couldn’t happen to a better guy
Release Davies a complete waste of a roster spot!
As a D-Backs fan since they formed & a Davies supporter last season as he had no run support, the D-Backs need to do better this season.
Davies is at 12 starts. K details: Contract Notes:
2024 Mutual Option includes a $300,000 buyout
2024 buyout escalates $200,000 with 16 2023 starts
Games Started (cumulative)
$400,000 for 10
$550,000 each for 15, 20
$450,000 for 25
$650,000 for 30
He likely won’t make it to 15+.
Heard he twisted something looking back to CF as balls were leaving the park.
Gallen, Kelly and the two rookies—Henry and Nelson—maturing into starter roles, gives the Dbacks 4 solid starters. The rookies continue to become more consistent as the season progresses. They need another #2/#3 type starter for the second half and into the post-season.
Bullpen now has a 4 closer committee with Ginkel’s emergence added to Chafin, McGough and Castro. They need 1 or 2 more backend of the bullpen relievers.
That’s the trade deadline acquisition target for 2023 to get the Dbacks deep into the post-season.