The Diamondbacks have brought back one of their relievers, signing right-hander Scott McGough to a minor league deal. The signing was announced by Arizona's Triple-A affiliate.
One familiar face and a new guy ✍️
— Reno Aces (@Aces) February 11, 2025
The @dbacks have signed RHPs Scott McGough and John Curtiss to Minor League Free Agent Contracts with invites to Major League Spring Training! pic.twitter.com/caeGCWzAVf
McGough, 35, originally signed a two-year pact with the Diamondbacks ahead of the 2023 season. Following a rough debut with the Marlins, he spent time in Japan with the Yakult Swallows the previous four seasons. With them he had pitched to a Nippon Professional Baseball championship in 2021.
After getting off to a solid start, with a 2.41 ERA in his first 36 appearances, it's been downhill. In his final 27 appearances that season, he pitched to a 7.98 ERA and was removed from the closer role. He finished the season with a 4.73 ERA before getting shelved with a shoulder injury and missed the entire postseason.
McGough made the Opening Day roster the following year, but took losses in three consecutive appearances in April. When Paul Sewald came off the injured list, he became a roster casualty as he spent the rest of the season up and down with Reno. He pitched to a 7.44 ERA, with his strikeout rate dropping from 28.6% to 16.7%. Due to the drop in bottom line results and peripherals, the Diamondbacks declined their half of a 2025 mutual option and paid a $750K buyout.
While McGough will have another opportunity to pitch in big league camp, the roster dynamics are much different.