The Diamondbacks announced that they have selected the contract of left-hander Brandon Hughes. Fellow lefty Tommy Henry was optioned to Triple-A Reno to open an active roster spot. To get Hughes onto the 40-man, lefty Kyle Nelson was transferred to the 60-day injured list.
Hughes, now 28, had a solid debut with the Cubs in 2022. He tossed 57 2/3 innings that year with a 3.12 earned run average, striking out 28.5% of batters faced while giving out walks at an 8.8% clip. He even moved into a leverage role, securing eight saves and eight holds that year.
But he found some struggles last year, going on and off the injured list throughout the season due to left knee inflammation. He made just 17 appearances with a bloated 7.24 ERA before eventually requiring surgery in June. He underwent a debridement procedure on that left knee and wasn’t able to return to the big league club in the final months of the season.
The Cubs non-tendered Hughes at the end of last year and he landed with the Snakes on a minor league deal. He has been getting good results in Triple-A so far, with a 1.84 ERA through 14 2/3 innings for Reno. However, those results are in spite of subpar strikeout and walk rates of 20% and 15%, respectively.
This is the second time Henry has been optioned, as he has been helping the club cover for some rotation injuries, posting a 5.40 ERA in six starts. Him being optioned today leaves the Diamondbacks with a rotation of Zac Gallen, Brandon Pfaadt, Jordan Montgomery and Slade Cecconi, while Eduardo Rodríguez, Merrill Kelly and Ryne Nelson are on the injured list.
They will need a fifth starter but not right away. They have an off-day on Thursday and another on Monday, therefore allowing them to use just four starters until next weekend, if they so choose. Manager Torey Lovullo said that Ryne Nelson recently threw a sim game of five innings and 75 pitches, per Alex Weiner of AZSports. That perhaps suggests he’s not far off from a return to the club. But for now, Hughes will give Lovullo another bullpen lefty alongside Joe Mantiply, Andrew Saalfrank and Logan Allen.
As for the other Nelson, Kyle was placed on the 15-day injured list a week ago due to left shoulder inflammation. It’s unclear how long the club expects him to be out of action but this transfer means he’s ineligible to be reinstated until mid-June.
I know Logan Allen is probably best suited as a bullpen arm, but he does have starting experience, even though it’s pretty bad. Could anyone see him getting a few starts if need be?
It’s not totally crazy, but I don’t think it likely. I think they like him as a long man right now, and if they need another starter down the road, they’re more likely to go back to Henry or even give Walston or Mena a cup of coffee for a spot-start.
Dang, I hope not.
Yeah I don’t blame you, I was just stat surfing and seen that he has started games before and thought oh wow, he is not a good starter, but with all the injuries and underperformance from some of the D-backs starters, it might be something that happens. I agree with goooooodiamondbacks that walston or mena should be the way to go. I also forgot about Humberto castellanos who would also probably be in line for a couple starts if need be for you guys.
Castellanos finally had a crappy game last night, but I am rooting for him. Walston would be my choice, just to see if he’s capable outside of the hellhole known as Reno. I’m not sold yet on Mena being a starter.
Oh of course they send down Henry AFTER he pitches terribly against the buy-everyone Dodgers
2 R in 4 IP isn’t terrible. Not good certainly but he kept the wheels on. Just needed to get pulled earlier than you’d want.
Not sure why the Cubs gave up on this guy so quickly. He was really good for them before getting hurt.