Arizona Diamondbacks: Patrick Corbin Ready to Regain Rotation Spot

Patrick Corbin of the Arizona Diamondbacks said lack of fastball command was a factor in his demotion from a starter

There are certain experiences which raise the competition level. Bounced out of the rotation was one of those seismic events for Patrick Corbin of the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Easily traversing through spring training hitters a year ago, Corbin sliced through the competition like that hot knife through butter. Pundits agreed Corbin was back to his All-Star self and to the level of the season in which he won 14-8 in 2013. Despite missing the 2014 and part of the 2015 season with Tommy John surgery and recovery, Corbin appeared ready to regain his lost stature.

In his effort to climb back into the rotation conversation, Corbin was lights-out in 2016 spring games. In five appearances, Corbin went 2-0 with a sparkling 1.71 ERA.

Then, the bottom fell out at the time of the All-Star break.

Starting against the Giants at Chase Field on July 2, Corbin lasted 5.1 innings, allowed five hits, five runs and tossed 93 pitches. After walking Buster Posey and Mac Williamson in the sixth, then manager Chip Hale pulled the plug and Corbin departed for the showers.

Afterward, Corbin told reporters he had more in the tank and wanted to remain in the game. Hale had other ideas, and the discourse ran public. During his daily meeting with the media the next day, Hale was asked about the verbal conflict with Corbin and simply said, “it’s in house and we’ve talked.” On Aug. 14, Corbin was banished to the bullpen.

From the All-Star game until the end of the season, Corbin was left to a mop-up role in the bullpen and light-years away from the splendor of his 2013 season. The bottom line was a less than productive 5-13 season with a 5.15 ERA for 24 starts and 36 appearances.