The D-backs claimed hard-throwing righty Thyago Vieira off waivers from the Orioles, who’d previously designated him for assignment, per an announcement out of Baltimore. The Diamondbacks already have two open spots on the 40-man roster and thus will only need to open a 26-man roster spot for the out-of-options Vieira.
Vieira isn’t the only bullpen move coming for the Snakes, however. Ari Alexander of KPRC-2 reports that they’re calling lefty Joe Jacques up from Triple-A Reno for what’ll be the southpaw’s team debut. Arizona claimed Jacques off waivers from Boston back in April.
The 30-year-old Vieira made just one appearance for the O’s, who acquired him from the Brewers following a separate DFA. He faced five batters in his lone Orioles appearance but didn’t record an out, yielding a hit and four walks. He’d go on to be charged for three earned runs. He also struggled through 22 1/3 innings in Milwaukee and currently sports an ugly 6.85 ERA on the season. In 51 career innings at the MLB level, Vieira has a 6.71 ERA with a 20.7% strikeout rate and bloated 13% walk rate.
It’s a nondescript track record, but Vieira is also one of MLB’s hardest throwers, averaging 98 mph on his heater and frequently touching triple digits. Command has been an ongoing issue for him, but the raw power of his repertoire continues to pique teams’ interest. The right-hander also had a nice run with the Yomiuri Giants of Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball from 2020-22, posting a 3.61 ERA with a hearty 26.2% strikeout rate. Since Vieira is out of minor league options, he’ll immediately join the big league bullpen, but that lack of flexibility could also have him on a short leash if he continues to struggle as he did in Milwaukee and Baltimore.
Both Vieira and Jacques will add fresh arms to an Arizona bullpen that needed to cover seven innings in a blowout loss after Jordan Montgomery lasted just two innings. Relievers Bryce Jarvis, Brandon Hughes and Logan Allen all pitched at least two innings yesterday and figure to be unavailable today if at all possible. Righty Kevin Ginkel threw 35 pitches a day prior as well, adding to the currently taxed nature of manager Torey Lovullo’s relief corps.
I like Martinez better than both of them and he’s on the roster.
Martinez looks like a superstar, but they need to manage his innings. This is more about coverage than anything. It really hurts to have short outings and greatly helps.
I get so excited when they get these kind of pitchers……not.
Don’t we already have enough crappy relievers?
One appearance. Zero outs. 4 batters faced. 3 walks and a triple. Infinite ERA. That having been said, I was hoping the O’s could slip this by the league and send him to the minors to try to harness that unfettered fire hose of an arm. He has no idea where the ball is going, but it’ll get there in a hurry.
Good lucky to him in the desert.
If the brewers couldn’t harness him, not much hope left
Thyastay or Thyago now….
Hazen is always working hard to find diamonds in the rough. Unfortunately their rotation has become a weakness with injuries. When you’re forced to find innings, you’re forced to audition
Why?