Latest news with #D-Backs
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
MLB Insider Floats Cubs as a Suitor for Diamondbacks' Pitchers Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly
MLB Insider Floats Cubs as a Suitor for Diamondbacks' Pitchers Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Chicago Cubs' pitching situation has been anything but pretty. With Shota Imanaga on the mend, the Cubs will soon be getting one of their impact arms back from the IL. However, with Justin Steele gone and Javier Assad still out for the foreseeable future, the Cubs are still lacking a reliable mid-rotation pitcher. Advertisement Cubs' president Jed Hoyer has already stated his intentions to fix this problem. With several quality trade candidates gracing this trade deadline's hot stove, one MLB insider has pitched a solution that's a little outside the box. In an appearance on ESPN 1000, Jesse Rogers proposed the idea that the Cubs should look into Arizona Diamondbacks' starters Merrill Kelly and Zac Gallen. He justified his stance that the D-Backs will be sellers saying this: 'I think, I truly think, there's going to be a new player in the seller's market, one I would have never predicted. '… [The Diamondbacks] have a horrendous bullpen. Corbin Burnes might be out [for a long time with an elbow injury], that team is already ten out of first; they're well out of the Wild Card race and going backwards. Think about this, Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly are free agents both at the end of this year. How would one of those guys look in a Cubs uniform? Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Zac Gallen throws to the Pittsburgh Pirates in the second inning at Chase Field in Phoenix, on May 28, Schumacher/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images 'So, this is a huge developing story in my mind when it comes to the trade deadline…. I think Gallen and Kelly are both going to be on the market.' Advertisement No one truly expected the D-Backs to best the Dodgers in the NL West, but any rumor of a D-Backs sell-off would be premature. That said, Arizona's pitching staff hasn't been good, and two of their best-performing arms (Corbin Burnes and Justin Martinez) are on the IL. And since both Gallen and Kelly are in their walk years, the unexpected could potentially come to fruition. This season, Gallen owns a 5.54 ERA while Kelly owns a 3.78. Both have showcased All-Star talent at times during their careers, but this season, it appears there are better options. Still, if the Cubs are able to land either of these two and have him revert back to All-Star form, this would work wonders for them. Related: Cubs Expected to Make Massive Moves at Trade Deadline for Potential Kyle Tucker Reason This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 3, 2025, where it first appeared.
Axios
7 days ago
- Business
- Axios
Struggling Diamondbacks seek to pull out of nosedive
The optimism that the Arizona Diamondbacks began the season with and the high points they've had are a distant memory as they struggle through a nasty slump. The big picture: The D-Backs have been up and down for much of the season. At one point early on, the snakes were five games over .500 and went four games up on May 19 with a win over the Los Angeles Dodgers. Since then, the team's fortunes have plummeted, losing nine of their last 11 games. Zoom in: On Saturday, they had their worst start in franchise history, giving up 10 runs in the first inning against the Washington Nationals, with the first nine runs coming before Arizona recorded an out. That game was just days after a blowout 10-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates. A day earlier, Arizona led Pittsburgh 6-0 after five innings, but lost after giving up nine unanswered runs. State of play: What's really hurt the D-Backs during the current skid is an inability to win close games — of the last nine losses, four were by a single run and two others were by two runs. Between the lines: As has often been the case over the past few seasons, many of the D-Backs' woes emanate from their struggling bullpen. Arizona has one of the worst bullpen ERAs in baseball, and their 11 blown saves are among the highest in the majors. The team designated reliever Joe Mantiply for assignment and sent Kevin Ginkel to Triple-A Reno, bringing up Jeff Brigham as it tries to steady the bullpen. Threat level: The D-Backs beat the Nationals on Sunday, ending a four-game slide. But it came with a price because pitcher Corbin Burnes, Arizona's big-time offseason acquisition, left with discomfort in his right elbow. He was scheduled for an MRI on Monday. The intrigue: The D-Backs' tailspin has left some observers wondering how much longer manager Torey Lovullo will keep his job. But general manager Mike Hazen doesn't believe Lovullo is the problem, and owner Ken Kendrick hasn't taken issue with his job performance, the Arizona Republic reported. The team stuck with Lovullo after the team lost 110 games in 2021, and it gave him a contract extension through 2026 after the D-Backs' Cinderella run to the World Series two years ago. Zoom out: It doesn't help that the D-Backs are in the competitive NL West. They are in fourth place in the division with a 28-31 record, but even when they were four games over .500, they were still trailing the Dodgers, San Diego Padres and San Francisco Giants. What we're watching: Things looked grim for the D-Backs last year after a rough start, but the team caught fire later in the season, though they still narrowly missed the playoffs.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Diamondbacks calling up top prospect Jordan Lawlar, though he may not play every day
After splitting a four-game series with the Los Angeles Dodgers over the weekend and falling to fourth in the National League West at 21-20, the Arizona Diamondbacks are calling up their top minor league prospect to presumably provide a boost to their offense. Infielder Jordan Lawlar is being called up from Triple-A Reno, according to multiple reports. Lawlar, who turns 23 in July, is Arizona's No. 1 prospect as ranked by (who also pegs him as the No. 4 prospect overall) and The Athletic. He's batting .336/.413/.579 with 15 doubles, six home runs, 31 RBI and 13 stolen bases in 173 plate appearances. Lawlar, the D-Backs' first-round pick in 2021 out of Dallas' Jesuit College Preparatory School, is a natural shortstop. But he's played second base and third base this season, which might be the key to him making an impact in the Diamondbacks' lineup. Jordan Lawlar: 2 HR in 4 GEverything is starting to click for MLB's No. 10 overall prospect (@Dbacks), who has a .993 OPS for the @Aces this month. — MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) April 13, 2025 At first glance, there might not appear to be a place for Lawlar with Ketel Marte at second and Geraldo Perdomo at shortstop — both of whom have recently signed long-term contract extensions. Marte is hitting .283/.406/.528 with three homers, but he has been limited to 17 games due to a hamstring injury suffered during the first week of the season. Perdomo has a .292/.395/.458 average with nine doubles, five homers, 30 RBI and nine steals. He's also credited with four Defensive Runs Saved and six Outs Above Average, showing excellent defense at shortstop. Third base appears to be the best spot for Lawlar to play with Eugenio Suárez hitting .205 with a .299 on-base percentage. Yet he leads Arizona with 12 home runs (although four of them came in one game). Advanced metrics also say he's one of the worst defensive third baseman in MLB with -3 DRS and -5 OAA. However, D-Backs manager Torey Lovullo told reporters that the current plan is to use Lawlar at several positions. He may not necessarily play every day, which makes the promotion somewhat curious. But the belief is that it is time for him to be in the major leagues, even if it means playing four games a week. "I want impact players here," Lovullo said, via the Arizona Republic. "My questions are — I know he's going to impact the game offensively, but you can't totally count on that all the time — what's he going to do defensively?" he added. "Is he able to move around comfortably and play three positions and make his plays? The answer is yes." Arizona wanted to see Lawlar play every day to begin the season after he appeared in only 23 games last season because of thumb and hamstring injuries. But he played 27 games (with 108 PAs) in the Dominican League winter ball and hit .294 with an .897 OPS during spring training. Coupled with his early performance in Triple-A, the D-Backs thought he was ready.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Diamondbacks calling up top prospect Jordan Lawlar, though he may not play every day
After splitting a four-game series with the Los Angeles Dodgers over the weekend and falling to fourth in the National League West at 21-20, the Arizona Diamondbacks are calling up their top minor league prospect to presumably provide a boost to their offense. Infielder Jordan Lawlar is being called up from Triple-A Reno, according to multiple reports. Lawlar, who turns 23 in July, is Arizona's No. 1 prospect as ranked by (who also pegs him as the No. 4 prospect overall) and The Athletic. He's batting .336/.413/.579 with 15 doubles, six home runs, 31 RBI and 13 stolen bases in 173 plate appearances. Advertisement Lawlar, the D-Backs' first-round pick in 2021 out of Dallas' Jesuit College Preparatory School, is a natural shortstop. But he's played second base and third base this season, which might be the key to him making an impact in the Diamondbacks' lineup. At first glance, there might not appear to be a place for Lawlar with Ketel Marte at second and Geraldo Perdomo at shortstop — both of whom have recently signed long-term contract extensions. Marte is hitting .283/.406/.528 with three homers, but has been limited to 17 games due to a hamstring injury suffered during the first week of the season. Perdomo has a .292/.395/.458 average with nine doubles, five homers, 30 RBI and nine steals. He's also credited with four Defensive Runs Saved and six Outs Above Average, showing excellent defense at shortstop. Advertisement Third base appears to be the best spot for Lawlar to play with Eugenio Suárez hitting .205 with a .299 on-base percentage. Yet he leads Arizona with 12 home runs. (Although four of them came in one game.) Advanced metrics also say he's one of the worst defensive third baseman in MLB with -3 DRS and -5 OAA. However, D-Backs manager Torey Lovullo told reporters that the current plan is to use Lawlar at several positions. He may not necessarily play every day, which makes the promotion somewhat curious. But the belief was that it was time for him to be in the major leagues, even if it means playing four games a week. "I want impact players here," Lovullo said, via the Arizona Republic. "My questions are — I know he's going to impact the game offensively, but you can't totally count on that all the time — what's he going to do defensively?" he added. "Is he able to move around comfortably and play three positions and make his plays? The answer is yes." Arizona wanted to see Lawlar play everyday to begin the season after he appeared in only 23 games because of thumb and hamstring injuries. But he played 27 games (with 108 PAs) in the Dominican League winter ball and hit .294 with an .897 OPS during spring training. Coupled with his early performance in Triple-A, the D-Backs thought he was ready.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Shohei Ohtani shows rare burst of emotion after go-ahead, 3-run HR in Dodgers' win over Diamondbacks
If there was any doubt how meaningful Friday night's 14-11 win was for the Los Angeles Dodgers over the Arizona Diamondbacks, Shohei Ohtani's reaction to hitting a go-ahead, three-run homer made it clear. Through all of the impressive feats Ohtani has accomplished during his eight MLB seasons — American League Rookie of the Year, three MVP awards, hitting and pitching successfully, baseball's first 50-50 season — he's been a humble superstar. He's shown little emotion after big moments, other than acknowledging and celebrating with his teammates. Advertisement However, as soon as he made contact with a splitter thrown low and inside from Ryan Thompson, launching the ball into the right field seats, Ohtani flipped his bat and raised both of his arms in jubilation. He knew that was a big moment and showed it. "Sho keeps getting put in these spots that you expect the incredible, and he rarely disappoints," Max Muncy said after the game, via "And that is no different there.' Shohei Ohtani celebrates his three-run home run that gave the Los Angeles Dodgers a 14-11 lead over the Arizona Diamondbacks on May 9, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) The D-Backs could have walked Ohtani to load the bases, but manager Torey Lovullo chose to pitch to him instead. Following the game, he faulted pitch choice rather than strategy. "We shouldn't have thrown a splitter to Ohtani," Lovullo told the Arizona Republic's Nick Piecoro. "It's a third-best pitch for (Thompson). We've got to be better." As Ohtani rounded the bases, he clapped his hands and pumped his fist after striking the major blow in a wild game that featured four inning with four or more runs scored. The D-Backs took a 3-1 lead in the first inning, but the Dodgers scored five in the third to go on top, 8-3. Arizona tied the game at 8-8 with four runs in the fifth, then took an 11-8 lead in the eighth on home runs from Ketel Marte and Randal Grichuk. Advertisement The Dodgers began their rally in the ninth with four consecutive hits versus Kevin Ginkel, including RBI doubles by Andy Pages and Enrique Hernández, followed by an RBI single from Muncy that tied the score at 11-11. Ginkel struck out James Outman, but hit Michael Conforto with a pitch to set up Ohtani's heroics. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts tried to put Ohtani's talent into perspective, comparing him to a former teammate who was one baseball's all-time greats. "Between him and Barry Bonds, they're the two best players I've ever seen," Roberts said. "I played with Barry. But what Shohei does in the clutch — I've never seen anything like what he does in the clutch." Tanner Scott pitched a 1-2-3 ninth to close out the Dodgers' victory. With the win, Los Angeles improved to 26-13 and stayed in first place in the NL West, one game ahead of the San Diego Padres. The D-Backs dropped to 20-19, six games behind the Dodgers for fourth place in the division.
