Diamondbacks Lose Long-Time MLB Veteran to Free Agency

Right-hander Derek Law has elected free agency, according to the MiLB.com transaction log, ending his brief time in the Arizona Diamondbacks organization.

The 36-year-old veteran, who first reached the majors in 2016 with the San Francisco Giants, becomes available on the open market heading into the offseason.

Arizona signed Law to a minor-league contract with a spring training invitation in late January while he recovered from flexor tendon surgery that wiped out his entire 2025 season with the Washington Nationals.

Setbacks during his rehab delayed his return; he was placed on the injured list early in the Triple-A Reno season, spent time on the 60-day list, and did not appear in games until mid-August.

The Diamondbacks selected his contract from Reno on August 29, and he made his club debut shortly thereafter.

In seven appearances covering 9.0 innings, Law posted a 1.00 ERA with a 1.11 WHIP, five strikeouts, and two walks. He allowed a run in his first outing before stringing together six scoreless appearances.

The results were encouraging for a pitcher returning from major arm surgery, but his velocity was noticeably diminished. His fastball sat at a career-low 93.2 mph, down from the 95.1 mph average he posted with Washington in 2024, and his cutter—typically a primary pitch—was also down roughly two ticks.

Law’s career profile has long centered on throwing strikes and limiting hard contact rather than missing bats.

He has appeared in roughly 329 major-league games across eight seasons (with a 23-18 record, 3.63 ERA, and 321 strikeouts in about 355 innings), pitching for the Giants, Toronto Blue Jays, Minnesota Twins, Detroit Tigers, Cincinnati Reds, Nationals, and Diamondbacks.

His best recent season came in 2024 with Washington, when he logged a career-high 90 innings and 75 appearances with a 2.60 ERA.

The Diamondbacks designated him for assignment on September 16 amid ongoing bullpen churn. He cleared waivers and was outrighted to Reno on September 18.

With the minor-league season winding down and Law having the option to decline the assignment as a veteran with sufficient service time, he instead elected free agency.

Arizona’s bullpen had been hit hard by injuries throughout 2026—including closer Justin Martinez’s prolonged absence—and will have multiple spots to fill this winter as several other relievers also hit free agency.

At 36, Law is unlikely to command a major-league guarantee, but his track record of throwing strikes, inducing weak contact, and providing reliable middle-relief innings should make him a candidate for another minor-league deal or low-cost roster invitation as clubs seek bullpen depth.