D-backs designate RHP Trevor Cahill for assignment

In a somewhat suprising move, the Arizona Diamondbacks have designated right-handed pitcher Trevor Cahill for assignment.

The 26-year-old struggled both in the starting rotation and the bullpen in 2014, going 1-6 with a 5.66 ERA in 19 appearances.

“The game’s tough,” D-backs manager Kirk Gibson said of the move. “There’s a lot of people that struggle and they have to find a way to try and get back to what they can be.”

Gibson went on to express confidence that Cahill still has “a good future ahead of him,” and the pitcher understands he has things to work on.

“Command, just being more consistent,” Cahill said. “There’s times when I come out of the ‘pen and I feel good and there’s starts where I feel really good, it’s just those starts where I don’t feel sharp I just kind of have to figure out a way to get through it and still help the team win.”

The pitcher admitted a trip to the minor leagues may be beneficial toward his goal of returning to the starting rotation. After all, there was not a rotation spot available with the big league club but that won’t be an issue with a minor league affiliate.

“I’m sure they have a plan and I trust them,” he said of the team. “I feel like they’ll do right by me. They haven’t given me any indication that they wouldn’t, so I’m just going to do whatever’s best for the team.

“I like playing here and I want to stay here, but I want to get better and be the guy that I think I can be.”

Cahill was acquired prior to the 2012 season in the trade that sent right-handed prospect Jarrod Parker to the Oakland Athletics.

“Oakland doesn’t have Parker right now either and there’s no guarantees that he may come back,” D-backs GM Kevin Towers said. “I still believe in the kid. Double-digit wins the first year we got him.

“I’m not one that regrets trades. When I make a trade I live with it, and I’ll live with this one also. I’ll back it.”

The Diamondbacks now have 10 days to return Cahill to the 40-man roster, trade, release or outright him to the minor leagues, although he’d have to clear waivers for that to happen.

The goal seems to be to have him fix whatever problems he’s having in the minor leagues before returning to the D-backs.

“Our hope is to retain him, personally,” Towers said. “We still think there’s value there.”

In two-plus seasons with the D-backs, Cahill has compiled a 22-28 record with a 4.06 ERA in 77 games (61 starts).

In other roster moves, the D-backs placed third baseman Eric Chavez on the 15-day disabled list with a sprained left knee, reinstated reliever J.J. Putz from the 15-day disabled list and recalled reliever Will Harris from Triple-A Reno.

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