The D-Backs announced they’ve selected right-hander Humberto Castellanos onto the major league roster. Arizona also recalled lefty reliever Joe Jacques from Triple-A Reno, a move which was reported this afternoon. To clear the necessary spots on the MLB roster, the Snakes optioned southpaw Brandon Hughes and placed lefty Blake Walston on the 15-day injured list with inflammation in his throwing elbow. Arizona also reinstated righty Luis Frías from the 15-day IL and optioned him to Reno.
Arizona had an opening on the 40-man roster, which they’ll use to give Castellanos his first MLB look in two years. The Mexican-born hurler pitched in 25 games, including 16 starts, for the D-Backs between 2021-22. He turned in a 5.30 ERA over 90 innings before undergoing Tommy John surgery in August 2022. That led Arizona to outright him off their roster at the end of the season and forced him to sit out all of last year.
The Diamondbacks brought Castellanos back on a minor league contract over the winter. He’s healthy again and has logged 43 2/3 innings over 10 appearances in Triple-A. Castellanos has a 4.57 earned run average that is quite impressive considering Reno is among the toughest places to pitch in affiliated ball. He has punched out a solid 24.3% of opposing hitters, although he has also issued walks at a career-high 11.4% rate.
For most of his MLB career, Castellanos has shown the opposite profile: plus control without the ability to miss many bats. He has a modest 16.6% strikeout rate with a 7.3% walk percentage in 100 2/3 innings between the Astros and D-Backs. Castellanos doesn’t throw especially hard, but he can work out of the rotation or in long relief for Torey Lovullo. He still has a minor league option, allowing the Diamondbacks to send him back to Reno at any point without putting him on waivers.
Walston, a first-round pick in 2019, has made his first three MLB appearances this season. The North Carolina native has allowed four runs over 12 2/3 innings, striking out 11 against nine walks. It’s not clear how long he’ll be out of action. The Diamondbacks will presumably play things cautiously with any elbow issue for one of their more talented young pitchers.
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