Diamondbacks’ Zach Davies was excellent in his rehab assignment down in Triple-A last week. Through 4 2/3 innings, the 30-year-old allowed zero runs, just three hits, and struck out seven batters.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!After signing a one-year deal with the D-backs during the offseason, Davies threw in just two games before heading to the injured list with a strained left oblique.
Two weeks later, the Diamondbacks DFA’d veteran Madison Bumgarner, leaving them with a difficult starting pitching situation.
As a result, the D-backs have shuffled things around a bit but have mostly stuck with rookies Tommy Henry, Ryne Nelson and Brandon Pfaadt.
Now, the question is: who will they send down, with Zach Davies likely to return as soon as Saturday?
With Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly already set in stone, the Diamondbacks will have to send down one of three rookies in the upcoming days.
Ryne Nelson
The Diamondbacks originally drafted Ryne Nelson in the second round of the 2019 draft. He was then called up to help finish off the D-backs 2022 season, as they were already eliminated from the playoffs.
Nelson began his big league career with two consecutive shutout starts, both lasting at least six innings. His final start of the season came against the Padres, where he threw 5.1 innings, allowing three earned runs.
This year, however, it has been a completely different story for the 25-year-old. While he has settled down in his past two starts, Nelson holds a 5.20 ERA through 10 appearances and has picked up just one win.
Tommy Henry
Tommy Henry was also brought up towards the end of last season. In nine appearances, the lefty threw 47 innings, struck out just 36 batters, and ended the year with a not-so-ideal 5.36 ERA.
Because of this, Henry did not make the opening day roster, instead, it was not until the Diamondbacks DFA’d Madison Bumgarner that they brought him back into the rotation.
But Henry’s performance has been eerily similar to 2022, as he has struggled to keep his ERA below 5.00.
Brandon Pfaadt
Brandon Pfaadt was the last of the rookies to be called up, as the MLB’s #51 overall prospect made his debut in early May.
Since his debut, Pfaadt has not made it out of the sixth inning once and holds a 7.65 ERA through four starts.
This alone may be enough for the Diamondbacks to decide he is not ready for the majors.
