The Diamondbacks selected the contract of left-hander Tyler Gilbert from Triple-A Reno, and optioned outfielder Kyle Lewis to Triple-A in the corresponding 26-man roster move. To make room on the 40-man, Arizona moved right-hander Drey Jameson to the 60-day injured list.
Gilbert’s last MLB appearance came almost a year ago, as he tossed four innings for the D’Backs on July 26, 2022. An elbow sprain sent him to the 60-day IL and subsequently ended his season, and Arizona then designated Gilbert for assignment during the winter and outrighted him off the 40-man roster.
Best known for his no-hitter against the Padres in 2021, Gilbert hasn’t been able to sustain the momentum after that dream start (literally his first start in the majors, after three previous relief appearances). While posting some good results throughout the rest of his 2021 rookie season, Gilbert had a 5.24 ERA over 34 1/3 innings last year and spent a lot of time in the minors.
The results haven’t been particularly good at Triple-A Reno this season, as Gilbert has a 5.67 ERA over 54 innings, though his 27.3% strikeout rate and 8% walk rate hint that he is getting a little unlucky in the hitter-friendly environment of the Pacific Coast League. Gilbert also has a .343 BABIP and eight homers allowed over his 54 frames of work.
It seems like the D’Backs will use Gilbert in the long relief role left vacant when Jameson was injured, and the rather immediate move to the 60-day IL is something of an ominous sign for Jameson’s health. The Diamondbacks only placed Jameson on the 15-day IL yesterday due to elbow inflammation, and he was set to undergo an MRI to determine the extent of the injury. Results of that MRI haven’t yet been revealed, and even if Jameson has avoided a major injury, the D’Backs might just be showing caution with any elbow-related issue.
Jameson made three starts in a fill-in capacity for Zach Davies earlier this season, but has pitched out of the bullpen over his other 12 outings. While the advanced metrics aren’t wild about Jameson’s modest 21.3% strikeout rate or 10.3% walk rate, the bottom-line results have been there, with a 3.32 ERA over 40 2/3 total innings. Since he’ll now be out until at least the first week of September, the pitching-needy Diamondbacks will need to find another way to make up those innings — the club was already expected to be looking at starters and relievers heading into the trade deadline.
Tyler “forgotten no-hitter” Gilbert.
I was at his no hitter, sat in the same row as his parents and girlfriend. It was on my birthday 8/14. Pretty cool experience
Welp
Nobody who is a true baseball fan forgets No-Hitters. Yes, some No-Hitters are unexpected and therefore regarded by some as “flukes”. But Gilbert’s No-Hitter on the first start of his major league career is doubly significant in Major League Baseball history and therefore will never be forgotten.
Gilbert is a southpaw.
How can someone be consistently better in MLB than in the minors? Jonathan Hernández had something similar before this year, but it’s mostly relievers who are like that, not starters. This guy started last season and is mixed this year, ofc, but still…
Gilbert actually has pretty good stats for pitching in the extremely hitter friendly AAA Pacific Coast League. His ERA is below the team average for starters, and the strike out and walk numbers (which are excellent) are more what the Dbacks brass looks at than ERA. And he has major league experience, which is why he was next up for the long relief role. He is more organizational depth than anything, so he’s not an ideal addition to a so-so bullpen, but he should be OK in the long relief role.
I was at his no hitter and has had many good games since. He’ll probably pitch 3 rd today after a righty throws a couple innings.
The concern now is Jameson’s arm health, if that is the issue.
Along with Tommy Henry, Ryne Nelson and Brandon Pfaadt, Drey Jameson was a member of the Big 4 rookie starters who would get extensive looks this season, to sort out who can successfully graduate to the majors in 2023 and then be solid in 2024 and beyond.
Jameson, of course, was shifted to the bullpen out of need and the Dbacks plan was to give him major league experience this year as a long relief/swing man. The Dbacks left open the possibility of shifting Jameson back into a starting role in 2024. Now, all that is on hold. I think Jameson is a big part of the Dback’s pitching plans for the immediate future, so this is a blow to those plans.
Blue Light Special on Jack Flaherty. Get him before he gets hurt. Ask about Jordan Hicks while you’re waiting.
Cardinals fans are really trying to unload their subpar pitching staff from a disappointing team the fans have given up on in 2023.
But Dbacks and other post-season contenders are looking to improve their staffs, and the Cardinals pitchers don’t qualify.
The only way the Cardinals will be able to unload those pitchers is if the Cardinals eat their entire remaining salaries and expect absolutely nothing in return.
Generally speaking, you are correct. My post was mostly made in jest. I wouldn’t wish Jordan Hicks on my worst enemies.
However, even though I have a lot of questions about what kind of person/teammate/competitor Jack Flaherty is, I have no question about his talent. The second half of 2019 wasn’t a mirage. When he is happy/focused/motivated, he can be a dominant pitcher. I think that Arizona’s pitching coach would get way more out of Jack than the Cardinals do. Plus it would be the kind of platform Jack is looking for going into free agency. Two months of dominance to end the season, plus a strong showing in the post season would set him up for the kind of pay day he’s always thought he deserved. In conclusion, I think somebody is going to end up pleasantly surprised with the Flaherty they get for the remainder of this season. Buyer beware to the team that signs him long term.
Jack Flaherty would be no worse than the #4 in Arizona. Let’s be serious here, Scott.