Arizona Diamondbacks Transactions

Friday, January 13

TEAM	PLAYER	TRANSACTION
		The Arizona Diamondbacks and starting pitcher Zac Gallen avoided salary arbitration on Friday by agreeing to a one-year, $5.6 million deal. In his third full season with the Snakes, Gallen had a career-best season, going 12-4 with a 2.54 ERA (3.05 FIP), a league-best 0.91 WHIP, a league-best 5.9 hits per nine innings and a 26.9 percent strikeout rate in 31 starts over a career-high 184 innings to come in fifth in National League Cy Young voting. The 27-year-old right-hander came into last season with an ERA above 4.00 in just one of his three seasons, with the other resulting in sub-3.00 ERAs. While he did strike out a career-low 9.4 hitters in 2022, all of his other peripherals look strong as he heads into his fifth MLB season.

Thursday, January 12

TEAM	PLAYER	TRANSACTION
		The Arizona Diamondbacks signed free-agent catcher P.J. Higgins to a minor-league deal on Thursday that includes an invitation to major-league spring training. Higgins comes to the desert after playing in 74 games for the Chicago Cubs in 2022, finishing with a .229/.310/.383 slash line with a .693 OPS, six home runs, 30 RBI and 23 runs scored in just his second major-league season. Arizona already has Carson Kelly, Gabriel Moreno and Jose Herrera on the active roster at the catcher position, so Higgins will have to play well in spring training to win an Opening Day roster spot with his new club. The 29-year-old is unlikely to have any real fantasy value in 2023, aside from maybe deep two-catcher leagues if he sees semi-regular playing time in the big leagues.

Wednesday, January 04

TEAM	PLAYER	TRANSACTION
		The Arizona Diamondbacks re-signed right-hander Zach Davies to a one-year deal worth $5 million on Wednesday. The deal also includes $3 million in incentives. Davies became a free agent this offseason after declining his $1.5 million mutual option for the 2023 season. The 29-year-old makes sense for an up-and-coming Arizona team at the back end of their rotation as an innings-eater. Davies went 2-5 for the Snakes last season with a 4.09 ERA (4.83 FIP), 1.29 WHIP, 17.9 percent strikeout rate and 9.1 percent walk rate in 134 1/3 innings over 27 starts in the desert. He'll have to pitch well to keep his spot in the rotation for a Diamondbacks team that has some nice young talent ready and waiting in the pipeline. Davies has little fantasy upside because of a weak 17.4 percent strikeout rate.

Saturday, December 31

TEAM	PLAYER	TRANSACTION
		The Arizona Diamondbacks and free-agent third baseman Evan Longoria agreed to a one-year deal on Friday. The Arizona Republic's Nick Piecoro reported that the deal is for $4 million and includes $1 million in incentives. Longoria wanted to play for a contender, and while Arizona isn't necessarily viewed as one by most folks, they are a young team on the rise. He also lives in Scottsdale. Longo, now 37 years old, only managed to play in 89 games for the San Francisco Giants in 2022 and hit .244/.315/.451 with a .767 OPS, 14 home runs, 42 RBI and 31 runs scored in 298 plate appearances. At this point in his career, he may no longer be an everyday player -- he hasn't played in over 100 games since 2019 -- but he could be more productive for fantasy managers in spurts against left-handed pitching.

Friday, December 23

TEAM	PLAYER	TRANSACTION
		The Arizona Diamondbacks acquired catching prospect Gabriel Moreno and outfielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. from the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday in exchange for catcher/outfielder Daulton Varsho, according to sources. Moreno is a consensus top-10 prospect in all of baseball, and he has elite bat-to-ball skills and a huge arm as a defender. The 22-year-old backstop has All-Star potential in his future. He made his big-league debut in 2022 and hit a strong .319/.356/.377 in just 73 plate appearances. Moreno will split time with Carson Kelly in Arizona, but he should become Arizona's primary catcher sooner than later. Gurriel, 29, dealt with a wrist injury that sapped his power (five home runs in 2022), but he could bounce back with better health in 2023. He should be a regular for Arizona moving forward, but the move to the National League West club is a downgrade from a fantasy perspective.
		The Arizona Diamondbacks agreed to a minor-league deal with former New York Mets and Pittsburgh Pirates infielder Phillip Evans on Friday. The deal includes an invitation to major-league spring training next year. Evans didn't play in the big leagues at all in 2022 but has four years of experience at the top level with a career .231/.331/.319 slash line with a .651 OPS, six home runs, 27 RBI, 34 runs scored and two stolen bases in 353 plate appearances over 121 games played. The 30-year-old spent all of last season toiling at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in the New York Yankees organization, and he hit .244/.310/.366 with nine long balls, 33 RBI, 45 runs scored and two stolen bases in 103 contests. Evans will merely serve as organizational depth in Arizona.

Thursday, December 15

TEAM	PLAYER	TRANSACTION
		The Arizona Diamondbacks and free-agent right-hander Scott McGough agreed on a two-year deal on Thursday that includes a mutual option for the 2025 season. In a corresponding move, Tyler Gilbert was designated for assignment. McGough pitched overseas in Nippon Professional Baseball in Japan in 2022 and posted a strong 2.35 ERA in 53 2/3 innings and has handled himself well there over the last four seasons. He last pitched in the major leagues in 2015 with the Miami Marlins. The 33-year-old allowed seven earned runs on 12 hits while walking four and striking out four in just 6 2/3 relief innings. McGough will provide the Diamondbacks with extra relief depth heading into the 2023 campaign.

Thursday, December 08

TEAM	PLAYER	TRANSACTION
		The Arizona Diamondbacks signed free-agent right-hander Austin Brice to a minor-league deal. Brice will head to the desert after spending the 2022 season with the Pittsburgh Pirates. He posted a 4.04 ERA (2.96 FIP), a 1.05 WHIP and five strikeouts in just 6 2/3 relief innings. At Triple-A Indianapolis, he went 3-4 with a 5.56 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, six saves and 53 strikeouts in 43 2/3 innings. The 30-year-old has pitched in seven big-league seasons for the Pirates, Miami Marlins, Cincinnati Reds and Boston Red Sox and sports a career 5.12 ERA (5.06 FIP), a 1.29 WHIP and 160 strikeouts in 168 2/3 innings over 144 appearances (one start). Brice will represent relief depth for Arizona in 2023.

Friday, December 02

TEAM	PLAYER	TRANSACTION
		The Arizona Diamondbacks and free-agent reliever Miguel Castro agreed to a one-year, $3.5 million deal on Friday, according to a source familiar with the situation. Castro went 5-0 with the New York Yankees in 2022, posting a 4.03 ERA (3.84 FIP), a 1.45 WHIP and 31 strikeouts in 29 innings over 34 relief appearances in the Bronx. The 27-year-old figures to be used in more of a middle-relief role with the Diamondbacks, leaving him very little fantasy appeal out of the bullpen. In 382 1/3 career big-league innings over eight MLB seasons, Castro has pitched to a 4.12 ERA (4.73 FIP), a 1.41 WHIP, seven saves and 342 strikeouts in 382 1/3 innings in his 333 appearances (four starts).

Thursday, November 17

TEAM	PLAYER	TRANSACTION
		The Arizona Diamondbacks acquired outfielder Kyle Lewis from the Seattle Mariners on Thursday in exchange for outfielder/catcher Cooper Hummel, according to sources familiar with the situation. Lewis was named the American League Rookie of the Year during the COVID-shortened 2020 season, when he hit .262/.364/.437 with an .801 OPS, 11 home runs, 28 RBI, 37 runs scored and five stolen bases in 58 games. But he's underwhelmed in two seasons since and has been bothered by injuries. In just 18 games for Seattle in 2022, he hit .143/.226/.304 with three homers, five RBI, six runs scored and 19 strikeouts in 56 at-bats. A change of scenery could be what Lewis needs to get back into fantasy relevance.

Thursday, October 27

TEAM	PLAYER	TRANSACTION
		The Arizona Diamondbacks claimed right-hander Tyler Zuber off waivers from the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday. Zuber was placed on the 60-day injured list with right shoulder impingement syndrome on March 16 and didn't pitch at all in the big leagues in 2022. In his two seasons with the Royals in 2020 and 2021, Zuber had a 5.29 ERA (5.96 FIP), a 1.58 WHIP and a 55:37 K:BB in 49 1/3 innings pitched over 54 relief appearances. The 27-year-old resumed throwing off flat ground in recent weeks and has a shot to be ready for spring training with Arizona in 2023.

Tuesday, October 25

TEAM	PLAYER	TRANSACTION
		Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop prospect Jordan Lawlar (shoulder) suffered a fractured left scapula when he was hit by a pitch in an Arizona Fall League game last Friday, per MLB's Sam Dykstra. The team's No. 3 prospect and MLB's No. 12 overall prospect will be out for six to eight weeks, per the team's director of player development Josh Barfield. The 20-year-old had been playing well, slashing .278/.469/.528 with two home runs, seven RBI, and four stolen bases in 11 games. This will come as a disappointment to fantasy managers in dynasty leagues, as Lawlar also suffered a posterior labrum tear in left his left shoulder in 2021.

Thursday, October 06

TEAM	PLAYER	TRANSACTION
		Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Caleb Smith (elbow) suffered an elbow injury in Wednesday's game against the Milwaukee Brewers. He allowed one hit and one walk while striking out three across 1 2/3 innings before exiting. The 31-year-old will undergo imaging to determine the severity of his injury. He finished the 2022 season with a 1-3 record, a 4.11 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, and a 65:39 K: BB across 70 innings. Smith will have a whole offseason to be ready for Spring Training in 2023.

Saturday, October 01

TEAM	PLAYER	TRANSACTION
		Arizona Diamondbacks infielder Ketel Marte was placed on the 10-day injured list on Friday, with the team recalling Buddy Kennedy to take his place on the roster. The team did not provide a reason as to the nature of Marte's injury, but his 2022 campaign is now over. Marte finishes the year hitting .240 with 12 homers, 68 runs, 52 RBI, and five steals in 137 games.

Monday, September 26

TEAM	PLAYER	TRANSACTION
		The Arizona Diamondbacks optioned rookie outfielder Alek Thomas to Triple-A Reno after Sunday's game and reinstated outfielder Jake McCarthy from the bereavement list in a corresponding move. In his first 113 big-league games, Thomas has struggled with the lumber, hitting .231/.275/.344 with eight home runs, 39 RBI, 45 runs scored, four stolen bases and 74 strikeouts in 381 at-bats. He's been especially bad this month, going 7-for-55 (.127) with no homers, four RBI and nine strikeouts in 18 games. McCarthy was unavailable last weekend but should return to the starting lineup for the start of a series on Tuesday against the Houston Astros. The 25-year-old left-handed hitter has hit a solid .288/.352/.446 with eight homers, 41 RBI, 49 runs and 19 stolen bases in 91 games in his second MLB season.

Tuesday, September 20

TEAM	PLAYER	TRANSACTION
		Arizona Diamondbacks rookie right-hander Ryne Nelson (forearm) took a comebacker off his right forearm in the sixth inning of his latest start on Sunday against the San Diego Padres, but precautionary X-rays came back negative, and manager Torey Lovullo said on Monday that Nelson was feeling better and will stay in line to make his next start this weekend at home against the San Francisco Giants. The 24-year-old former second-round pick in 2019 has been very solid in his first three big-league starts, allowing just four runs (three earned) on nine hits while walking six and striking out 16 in 18 1/3 innings. His 3.76 FIP shows that a little regression could be coming to close out the end of his rookie season, but he should remain in the D-backs rotation the rest of the way.

Sunday, September 18

TEAM	PLAYER	TRANSACTION
		Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Luis Frias has been recalled from Triple-A Reno. Keynan Middleton (toe) landed on the injured list so Frias was brought up in a corresponding move. The 24-year-old righty really struggled earlier this year, posting a 12.34 ERA in just 11 2/3 innings out of the D-Backs bullpen so there's little to no fantasy impact here.
		Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Keynan Middleton (toe) has been placed on the 15-day injured list with a sprained left great toe. The 29-year-old reliever will likely miss the rest of the season after appearing in just 17 innings and putting together a 5.29 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, and 15:3 K/BB ratio. Luis Frias was recalled from Triple-A Reno in a corresponding move.

Thursday, September 15

TEAM	PLAYER	TRANSACTION
		The Arizona Diamondbacks selected the contract of right-hander Drey Jameson from Triple-A Reno on Thursday, and he will make his major-league debut in a start against the San Diego Padres. In a corresponding move, the team placed left-hander Kyle Nelson (elbow) on the 15-day injured list with left elbow inflammation. Jameson, the club's No. 9 prospect per MLB Pipeline, went a combined 7-13 with a 6.31 ERA, 1.49 WHIP, 132 strikeouts and 46 walks in 132 2/3 innings over 26 outings (25 starts) for Double-A Amarillo and Reno this year. The 25-year-old went 5-12 with a 6.95 ERA and 1.59 WHIP in his 22 outings (21 starts) at Reno. We don't recommend streaming the youngster in his MLB debut against the Friars.

Monday, September 05

TEAM	PLAYER	TRANSACTION
		The Arizona Diamondbacks selected the contract of right-hander Ryne Nelson from Triple-A Reno on Monday and placed infielder Yonny Hernandez (calf) on the 60-day injured list in a corresponding move after recalling him from Reno. Right-hander Luis Frias was also optioned to Reno. Nelson, the team's No. 8 prospect per MLB Pipeline, will be making his major league debut on Monday against the San Diego Padres after going 10-5 with a 5.43 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, 128 strikeouts and 47 walks in 136 innings over 26 starts for Reno this season. The 24-year-old will need to display better command in the big leagues if he wants to stick in Arizona's starting rotation the rest of the way. Nelson will be a very risky fantasy streamer in San Diego.

Sunday, September 04

TEAM	PLAYER	TRANSACTION
		Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte (hamstring) is absent from the starting lineup on Sunday against the Milwaukee Brewers. The 28-year-old veteran has been dealing with some hamstring tightness so this is just a routine day off to give him some rest. Josh Rojas is taking over at the keystone and Emmanuel Rivera is sliding over to third base to pick up the slack on Sunday vs. Jason Alexander and the Brew Crew.

Monday, August 29

TEAM	PLAYER	TRANSACTION
		Arizona Diamondbacks outfield prospect Corbin Carroll has been officially recalled ahead of Monday's game against the Philadelphia Phillies. This was the expectation as the 22-year-old is clearly ready for the big league level. He was hitting .307/.425/.611 with 24 home runs and 11 stolen bases in the minors this season. The assumption is that Carroll will get fairly regular playing time down the stretch of the season. He'll be worth a look in deep leagues and NL-only formats. Carroll is batting eighth and playing right field against left-hander Ranger Suarez on Monday.

Saturday, August 20

TEAM	PLAYER	TRANSACTION
		Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte (hamstring) is still absent from the lineup on Saturday vs. the St. Louis Cardinals. This will be the sixth straight contest that the 28-year-old has missed due to left hamstring tightness. Josh Rojas is starting at second base while Emmanuel Rivera is taking over at designated hitter. Marte is hoping to avoid a trip to the injured list but hasn't appeared in a game since Wednesday (8/17) when he pinch-hit. Fantasy managers should continue to keep an eye on his status.