The Diamondbacks announced they’ve designated Thyago Vieira for assignment. The move opens a spot in the bullpen for newly-acquired southpaw A.J. Puk, who has reported to the team. The transaction drops Arizona’s 40-man roster tally to 39.
Vieira has spent the past two months in the desert. The Snakes claimed him off waivers from the Orioles at the beginning of June. He made 11 appearances, allowing six runs (five earned) across 15 2/3 innings. Vieira struck out 14 and handed out nine free passes. Arizona is his third team of the season. He also had stints in Milwaukee and Baltimore and carries a 5.21 earned run average through 38 innings on the year.
The Brazilian-born righty is one of the harder throws in the game, averaging north of 97 MPH on his fastball. That hasn’t translated to huge whiff rates, though, and he has never harnessed his power stuff. Vieira has walked nearly 15% of opposing hitters this season and has a 13.1% walk percentage over parts of five big league campaigns.
Arizona is likely to place Vieira on waivers in the next few days. The 31-year-old has exhausted his minor league options, meaning another team would need to keep him in the big league ’pen if they claim him. Vieira does not have the previous career outright nor the three years of service time necessary to decline an outright assignment, so the Snakes could keep him in the organization if he goes unclaimed on waivers.
Vieira has spent the past two months in the desert.
I hope he brought plenty of water.
Perhaps the Angels or one of the teams trading their closer should go ahead and give him a try??
Why do teams keep signing this guy?
Because he can throw 103 mph
Miguel Castro survives another day. Amazing.
Mind boggling. I actually liked Vieira way better than Castro. Then again, I’ve never liked Castro.
Castro has had some decent stretches but he turns into a human batting practice machine when he’s off. I’ve given him the benefit of the doubt more than most fans but I figured he’d be out now that they have enough depth to replace him. Hopefully Hazen has at least one more move planned for another reliever
When Castro’s slider is on, it’s unhittable
So dropping Vieira and adding Puk reduces the roster to 39 from 40?
Come on over Castro?? If it were me, I wouldn’t bank on Kelly and EROD coming back. I like Gallen, Nelson, Pfaadt, and maybe diaz but you gotta get another arm and if they could swing a Rooker trade that would be awesome.