Diamondbacks sign Luis Guillorme, option Blaze Alexander

The Arizona Diamondbacks have announced the signing of 29-year-old infielder Luis Guillorme, bolstering their infield depth while Ketel Marte remains on the 10-day IL.

Guillorme has spent time with the Angels and Braves this season, after beginning his career with the Mets, where he played for six years. His standout season came in 2022, when he collected 81 hits and posted a .273 batting average.

As a utility player, Guillorme represented the Spanish national baseball team at the 2016 European Baseball Championship in the Netherlands, earning the title of the tournament’s most outstanding defensive player and helping Spain secure a silver medal. He also represented Spain in the qualifiers for the 2017 World Baseball Classic.

Notably, Guillorme holds the unofficial record for the longest at-bat in MLB history, drawing a walk after a 22-pitch battle against Jordan Hicks in 2021. However, since this took place during Spring Training, it isn’t recognized in the official MLB record books.

In a corresponding move, the Diamondbacks optioned Blaze Alexander, who was called up a few weeks ago but went hitless in eight at-bats, striking out four times. After starting his rookie season strong, Alexander’s batting average has dropped from .313 on May 1st to a season-low .247.

Additionally, Arizona announced that Gavin Hollowell has been designated for assignment. Hollowell, who was claimed off waivers by the Diamondbacks in June, was called up briefly in early July but did not see any game action. Before his release, he had allowed 22 earned runs in 32.2 innings with the Rockies.