Diamonbacks Release 10-Year Veteran Pitcher

The season has not gone as hoped for a pitcher who has been a nice No. 2 starter on a few occasions in his career. And after getting lit up in four of his last five appearances, 10-year veteran Anthony DeSclafani has been released by the Arizona Diamondbacks. He was DFA'd just three days ago.

It was as recently as 2021 that DeSclafini went 13-7 with a 3.17 ERA in 31 starts for the San Francisco Giants, holding down the No. 2 spot in the rotation behind Kevin Gausman. But injuries and poor performance have hampered the 35-year-old ever since.

After missing the entire 2024 season due to right elbow flexor tendon surgery, DeSclafani, finally healthy, signed a minor league contract with the New York Yankees in May of this year. He was sent down to their AAA affiliate, Scranton Wilkes-Barre, to provide some starting pitching depth. 

But he decided to opt out of that deal when no promotion to the big club was forthcoming. He then signed a major league deal with the Diamondbacks in June. In 13 appearances with the Snakes, just four starts, he compiled a 5.12 ERA, surrendering a whopping 2.6 HR/9. The career-long starting pitcher started out in the bullpen, but was elevated to the rotation after Arizona traded Merrill Kelly at the deadline. He posted an ugly 6.59 ERA in his four starts. 

Over his decade in the big leagues, DeSclafani has a 4.24 ERA with a 1.27 WHIP. It's uncertain if he'll be able to land a contract next season. 

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