The Diamondbacks are easing Zack Littell into their staff by sending him to the bullpen, at least for now.
Littell was activated by Arizona this afternoon after signing a major league contract over the weekend, and he said the team told him he’ll begin his time with the club in relief. Michael Soroka also came off the injured list after a six-week absence with a left glute strain, and he’ll start tonight against the Rockies, who are going with rookie right-hander Gabriel Hughes.
Arizona isn’t changing the rest of its rotation. Eduardo Rodriguez, Merrill Kelly, Brandon Pfaadt and rookie Mitch Bratt will continue to start, with Bratt and Kelly lined up for the final two games of the Colorado series.
Littell has spent the last three and a half seasons working as a starter after beginning his big league career in relief. Tampa Bay stretched him out during the ’23 season, and he had some success in the back end of the rotation with both the Rays and Cincinnati. The calling card was always the same: not many whiffs, but very few free passes.
That formula broke down last year with Washington. After signing a $7MM free agent deal last offseason, Littell was used mostly as a starter, though the Nationals often put an opener in front of him and Miles Mikolas in a number of their turns.
He made 23 starts, logged 112 1/3 innings and finished with an ERA just under 5.00. His 14.6% strikeout rate was a career low, and he gave up 25 home runs, the fifth-most in the majors.
For Arizona, the move carries little risk. Littell is on a league minimum salary, with Washington covering the rest after releasing him last week. The Diamondbacks also didn’t make any pitching additions before the trade deadline, and their middle relief group is mostly made up of journeyman arms.
Even with the bullpen assignment, Littell should remain stretched out enough to give the club length if injuries force him back into the rotation.
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