The Diamondbacks will designate right-hander Paul Sewald for assignment, moving on from the struggling reliever to clear room on the roster for newly signed right-hander Zack Littell.
It is a stunning fall for Sewald, who less than two weeks ago still inhabited the closer’s role. He owned a 3.08 ERA on June 14 but allowed 18 earned runs in 12 2/3 innings since.
Sewald converted 24 of 27 save chances for the Diamondbacks this season.
The Diamondbacks agreed to a deal with Littell on Sunday, Aug. 10, and will finalize the signing on Monday, Aug. 11.
He gives the club additional starting rotation depth and/or a potential long reliever in the bullpen. His status has not yet been spelled out by the club.
The decision to designate Sewald was first reported
by Arizona Sports.
Rockies at Diamondbacks, 6:40 p.m., Cox, Ch. 34
Diamondbacks RHP Michael Soroka (8-3, 3.07) vs. Rockies RHP Gabriel Hughes (0-3, 4.25).
At Chase Field: Soroka has not pitched since June 19, the night he left his outing after one inning due to a glute injury. … At the time of his injury, he had been perhaps the Diamondbacks’ second-best starter behind LHP Eduardo Rodriguez. He has given up two or fewer runs in 12 of his 15 starts. … He made a rehab start last week with Triple-A Reno, giving up one run on three hits in four innings. His average fastball velocity (92.7 mph) in that start was down a tick from his season average (93.7 mph). … Hughes was the 10th overall pick in the 2022 draft out of Gonzaga. … He made his major league debut on July 3, tossing three scoreless innings in relief. He has started each of his other five games, logging a 4.73 ERA in 26 2/3 innings. … Hughes averages 92.5 mph with his four-seam fastball, which he throws 55.1 percent of the time. He has five other pitches: slider, changeup, curveball, sweeper and sinker.
Coming up
Tuesday, Aug. 11: At Chase Field, 6:40 p.m., Diamondbacks LHP Mitch Bratt (1-1, 3.90) vs. Rockies RHP Tomoyuki Sugano (11-5, 4.51).
Wednesday, Aug. 12: At Chase Field, 12:40 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Merrill Kelly (8-9, 4.88) vs. Rockies RHP Ryan Feltner (4-6, 5.71).
Thursday, Aug. 13: Off.
Friday, Aug. 14: At Atlanta, 4:15 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Brandon Pfaadt (6-1, 3.36) vs. Braves LHP Chris Sale (12-7, 2.20).
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Diamondbacks-Rockies updates. Paul Sewald designated for assignment
