Road-trip To Reno: Updates on Addison Reed and More

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So far this year, Arizona’s offense has been elite and their starting pitching has shown signs of brilliance. A common point of concern all season has been the stability of the bullpen. The second someone appears to be gaining momentum, they lose it just as fast. With the exception of Brad Ziegler (and to some extent Daniel Hudson), each member of the bullpen has been consistently inconsistent.

Certain performances were too meager to ignore and warranted a temporary removal from the bullpen. Here we provide updates on the progression of the fallen. Those that have fallen out of favor and are fighting for a second opportunity in Arizona. It’s time to go road-tripping. We’re heading to Reno.

May 13, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Addison Reed (43) talks with catcher Jordan Pacheco (31) during the ninth inning against the Washington Nationals at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Addison Reed

June 22nd: Optioned to Reno

There’s a small party among the Arizona faithful that wish to never see Reed in Sedona red. I’m not in that minority as I believe Reed is still an asset to the Dbacks. The 26-year old should be entering the prime of his career in a year or two and already has a 40-save season to his name. A little adversity can only strengthen right? Even if that isn’t the case with Reed, the Dbacks bullpen isn’t strong enough for them to simply let go of him.

In 2015, Reed is 2-2 with a 5.92 ERA and 20 strikeouts in 24.1 innings. Reed converted 3 of 5 saves and was quickly yanked from the closer’s position. There’s no way he’ll be sniffing that job anytime soon. In Reno, Reed has appeared in one game and it was a scoreless inning without strikeouts. Reed should be stashed in Reno until he’s able to prevent hitters from reaching base so easily. However, Reed will be in Arizona at some point. There’s too much there.

May 3, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Evan Marshall (50) pitches the twelfth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Evan Marshall

May 11th: Optioned to Reno

Nearly two months after his abysmal performance in a series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Marshall has still not found his way back to Arizona. On May 2nd and 3rd, Marshall pitched 1.2 innings, surrendered 4 hits and 3 runs. He was tagged with two losses that series. Marshall has now taken a temporary residence in Reno and AAA.

It wasn’t too long ago that the 25-year old Marshall was a functioning member of the Dbacks bullpen. In 2014, Marshall went 4-4 with a 2.74 ERA and 54 strikeouts in 49.1 innings. This season, Marshall is 0-2 with a 6.08 ERA and 7 strikeouts in 13.1 innings. He’s developed a problem with giving up homers in the majors. In Reno, Marshall is 2-2 with a 6.05 ERA and 14 strikeouts in 19.1 innings. He’ll most likely stay in Nevada for a while.

Jun 8, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher J.C. Ramirez (56) throws the ball during the sixth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

J.C. Ramirez

May 10th: Contract selected from Reno
June 13th: Designated for assignment
June 18th: Sent outright to Reno

Ramirez is the first pitcher on this list to not be a member of the Dbacks Opening Day roster. He was a beneficiary of Marshall’s implosion and demotion from Arizona. When Ramirez was returned to Reno, he wasn’t considered for a position on the 40-man roster and was DFA’d. Ramirez does have previous MLB experience, playing for the Philadelphia Phillies in 2013 (24 IP, 0-1, 7.50 ERA, 16 K).

In 2015 with Arizona, Ramirez is 1-1 with a 4.11 ERA and 11 strikeouts in 15.1 innings. Part of the reason the Arizona selected his contract from Reno is because his play was so pristine there. Ramirez owns a 1.20 ERA and has struck out 9 hitters in 15 innings. Those 3 earned runs have come since being returned to Reno (in 3.1 innings). Since he’s not on the 40-man roster, a return to Arizona could prove difficult for Ramirez.

Apr 19, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners pitcher Dominic Leone (52) throws against the Texas Rangers during the seventh inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Dominic Leone

June 3rd: Traded to Arizona
June 7th: Optioned to Mobile

Here’s bonus for reading this far. Leone was part of the Mark Trumbo deal in the beginning of the month. All it took was one performance for the front office to send Leone to Mobile (AA), not even Reno. It was a pretty terrible outing. In one inning, Leone gave up four hits, surrendered 3 runs, and was credited with a loss in his Arizone debut. Like Marshall, you don’t have to look far to see some potential in the 23-year old.

In 2014, Leone appeared in 57 games for the Seattle Mariners. He went 8-2 with a 2.17 ERA and 70 strikeouts in 66.1 innings. He’s absolutely imploded in 2015. He’s 0-5 with an 8.03 ERA with both Seattle and Arizona combined. If he’s able to produce anything resembling 2014, he should be receiving a second chance. In Mobile, Leone has given up 7 runs in 7 innings. So he may need plenty of more seasoning at his young age.

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