INF Yonny Hernandez was claimed off waivers by the A’s.
The Diamondbacks traded for Hernandez in the beginning of the season, sending teenage outfielder Jeferson Espinal to the Rangers in change for the utility infielder. Hernandez had appeared in 43 video games for Texas in 2021, however hadn’t hit a lot, with an OPS+ of 60. That, nevertheless, seemed like Babe Ruth beside Hernandez’s efficiency this yr. He changed Drew Ellis in mid-April for 10 days, earlier than Nick Ahmed got here off the DL, after which received one other three video games in mid-Could. He went 2-for-24 with no extra-base hits. The ensuing OPS+ of -29. Sure: minus twenty-nine. Assuming that is the tip of his time right here, he’ll be the one place participant with a destructive OPS+ as a D-back and 25+ PA.
INF Jake Hager and RHP Keynan Middleton cleared waivers and elected free company.
Straightforward come, simple go for Hager, who was chosen in the identical approach, i.e. off waivers, from the Seattle Mariners in late July final yr. He had a few stints on the workforce this season, and really hit moderately nicely, posting a line of .240/.345/.280 for a .625 OPS (OPS+ 82), and beginning video games at second-base, shortstop and third. Maybe simply as beneficial was his potential to take the mound as a mop-up man. He did so 3 times in lower than a month, ending off a trio of video games we misplaced by a complete rating of 39-10. He allowed two runs over 2.1 innings, although he’ll all the time have the strikeout of Gavin Lux (above) on his report, even when it was on a pitch only a bit inside…
Middleton was one of many extra skilled gamers, this being his sixth season within the majors. He’d have been arbitration eligible, with MLB Commerce Rumors projecting a wage subsequent yr of $1.1 million, so this protects some cash. He appeared in 18 video games for the D-backs, posting a 5.29 ERA with a Ok:BB ratio of 15:3 over 17 innings of labor. Nonetheless, his FIP was greater at 5.88, although he did put up good numbers in his time with Reno: a 2.12 ERA over the identical 17 IP. He missed time with quite a lot of accidents this yr: elbow irritation, and ankle sprain, and at last a sprained huge toe(!). He’s by no means actually been the identical since having TJ surgical procedure in 2018. Nonetheless, he and Hager may nonetheless re-sign with Arizona, if they need.
The principle goal of those strikes is to start clearing roster area. Partly, it’s so prospects might be added prematurely of the Rule 5 draft, to be held in the course of the Winter Conferences. There was no Rule 5 draft this season, as a result of lockout, so it will likely be attention-grabbing to see what occurs this time spherical. Nonetheless, additional strikes will probably be wanted. For whereas the D-backs at present have 39 gamers on the 40-man roster, there are 4 extra on the 60-day injured listing (Nick Ahmed, Humberto Castellanos, Tyler Gilbert and Emmanuel Rivera). These 60-day IL guys don’t depend towards the 40-man roster in the course of the season. however that IL goes away on the finish of the playoffs, and area should be cleared for them.
