D-backs call up Shipley for Thursday start; option Hazelbaker to Reno
May 4, 2017, 9:16 AM
Arizona Diamondbacks' Braden Shipley (34) throws during spring training baseball workouts, Thursday, Feb. 16, 2017, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)
(AP Photo/Matt York)
As expected, the Arizona Diamondbacks recalled right-hander Braden Shipley from Triple-A Reno Thursday, while optioning outfielder Jeremy Hazelbaker to the Aces.
Shipley will take the hill in Thursday’s finale of a three-game series in Washington against the Nationals. It’s yet to be seen if Shipley will be Arizona’s long-term replacement for right-hander Shelby Miller, who is will undergo Tommy John surgery and is out for the season.
The 25-year-old has made five starts in Reno this season, logging a 3-1 record with a 4.18 ERA and a 1.68 WHIP. He’s struck out 20 and walked eight in 28 innings of work. Shipley saw extensive action with Arizona last season, going 4-5 with a 5.27 ERA in 13 games (11 starts).
There was a little surprise in the optioning of Hazelbaker, who has been a valuable piece on manager Torey Lovullo’s bench so far in 2016 as a fourth outfielder and pinch-hitter. The 29-year-old has slashed .308/.379/.538 with a home run and five RBI. Hazelbaker started the season on a tear, going 6-for-6 with three runs scored, two RBI and two walks in his first six games.
“This is a guy who is going to be up again,” president and CEO Derrick Hall told Doug and Wolf Thursday on 98.7 FM, Arizona’s Sports Station. “There’s going to be a time where we need him again. He did his job. He was great, whether it was pinch-running or hitting late in the game or playing defense late in the game. Very good player.”
Hall pointed to the fact that Chris Owings and Chris Herrmann can both play in the outfield and that veteran Gregor Blanco, a two-time World Series champion with the San Francisco Giants, is close to returning from an oblique injury suffered late in spring training.
