Former D-backs reliever Jake Diekman signs with Royals
Feb 13, 2019, 5:56 PM
Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Jake Diekman (41) in the eighth inning during a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Former Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Jake Diekman has signed with the Kansas City Royals, the Royals announced Wednesday.
A mid-season acquisition from the Texas Rangers and pending free agent to strengthen Arizona’s bullpen, Diekman struggled as a D-back.
The left-hander had a 7.53 ERA in 24 appearances for the D-backs over 14.1 innings.
It was a dramatic dip in performance from Diekman, who had a 3.69 ERA for the Rangers in 2018 and a mark of 2.53 the season before.
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Diekman was acquired by Arizona on July 31 for minor leaguers Joshua Javier and Wi-Chieh Huang.
Like Diekman, Matt Andriese was another reliever the D-backs traded for in the middle of the season who had a rough go in 2018. Andriese posted a 9.00 ERA in 14 games and remains on the D-backs’ 40-man roster in spring training.
Diekman is signing a one-year deal with the Royals that includes a mutual option for 2020.
