The Diamondbacks’ pitching carousel continued with the promotions of right-hander Jose Cabrera and left-hander Kohl Drake from Triple-A Reno, giving them a starter for Sunday, June 21, and a length option in the bullpen, respectively.
To make room, the Diamondbacks optioned lefty Philip Abner to Reno and designated right-hander Yilber Diaz for assignment.
Cabrera will be making his major league debut. Signed at 19 for $10,000 out of the Dominican Republic five years ago, he has steadily climbed through the Diamondbacks’ system. He posted a 3.69 ERA in 61 innings between Double-A and Triple-A prior to the promotion.
Drake, one of the players the Diamondbacks received in the Merrill Kelly trade with Texas last July, would also be debuting if he appears in a game. He has had a poor season in Triple-A Reno. He has a 7.83 ERA in 54 innings and has been working with diminished velocity compared to last season.
The Diamondbacks wanted the fresh arm in their bullpen in part because they are in the midst of a long stretch of games without a day off. Their next off day is July 2.
Moreover, they need to figure out how they are going to get through Wednesday’s game against the St. Louis Cardinals. That is the next time right-hander Michael Soroka’s rotation spot comes up; Soroka landed on the injured list this weekend. One possibility could be for the club to try to throw a bullpen game against the Cardinals.
Diaz was hammered on Saturday night, June 20, in a 16-8 loss to the Minnesota Twins, giving up seven runs in two-thirds of an inning in relief.
Twins at Diamondbacks, 12:15 p.m., NBCSN, Peacock
Diamondbacks RHP Jose Cabrera vs. Twins RHP Mike Paredes (0-0, 4.20).
At Chase Field: This was supposed to be RHP Ryne Nelson’s spot in the rotation, but he landed on the injured list on Friday, June 19, with elbow issues. … Getting the ball instead and making his major league debut is Cabrera, who had a 3.69 ERA in 61 innings between Double-A and Triple-A. … Cabrera, 24, signed with the Diamondbacks five years ago for $10,000. … The Twins entered this series with this spot in the rotation listed as TBA. They had been hoping to give the ball to RHP Mick Abel, but Abel will instead remain on the injured list. … The past two times this spot came up, the Twins went with Paredes. … Paredes, 25, was an 18th-round pick out of San Diego State who debuted earlier this season. He has thrown 15 innings in four games (two starts).
Coming up
Monday, June 22: At St. Louis, 4:45 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Merrill Kelly (5-6, 5.81) vs. Cardinals RHP Andre Pallante (8-4, 3.76).
Tuesday, June 23: At St. Louis, 4:45 p.m., Diamondbacks LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (6-2, 2.45) vs. Cardinals RHP Kyle Leahy (5-4, 4.63).
Wednesday, June 24: At St. Louis, 4:45 p.m., Diamondbacks TBA vs. Cardinals LHP Matthew Liberatore (3-4, 5.23).
(This story has been updated to add information.)
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Twins at Diamondbacks updates. More moves to bolster staff
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