Diamondbacks lose another reliever on waivers

Another Diamondbacks reliever has been claimed off waivers, as the Chicago Cubs have claimed right-hander Gavin Hollowell. Arizona had designated him for assignment when they signed infielder Luis Guillorme on Tuesday.

Hollowell, 26, spent one day on the major league roster on July 2 but did not throw a single pitch for the Diamondbacks. A 6’7″ right-hander with a mid-90s four-seamer and sinker along with a swing-and-miss slider, he pitched to a strong 3.63 ERA with Triple-A Reno, averaging 12.5 strikeouts and 6.8 walks per nine innings pitched. Arizona claimed Hollowell off waivers from the Colorado Rockies on June 18.

Arizona’s bullpen is in relatively decent shape, with Justin Martinez and Kevin Ginkel emerging as the two key right-handed arms. Martinez has gotten some of the recent ninth-inning save opportunities while Ginkel has been deployed as a fireman, used when the team needs to get big outs. Paul Sewald, Ryan Thompson, and Dylan Floro round out their list of right-handed relievers in the bullpen, although Slade Cecconi is an option to bring up from Reno.

Due to his solid peripherals, which include a 30.4% strikeout rate with Reno, the Cubs will allow him to compete for a bullpen spot. According to FanGraphs, he had two minor league options remaining entering the season, meaning Chicago has one more option left to use. They had an open roster spot after releasing Hector Neris, who struggled in the closer role this season.

Hollowell becomes the third reliever the Diamondbacks have lost to waivers. Corbin Martin was claimed by the Brewers in April and Luis Frías by the Blue Jays earlier this month.