Diamondbacks bring back pitcher John Curtiss, infielder Ildemaro Vargas on minor league deals

The Arizona Diamondbacks have brought right-handed reliever John Curtiss back into the fold by signing the free agent to a minor league contract.

MLB insider Jon Heyman reported Friday that infielder Ildemaro Vargas is also returning after hitting .270 in 115 at-bats last season. Vargas has not officially signed with the club, according to the MLB transactions page.

Curtiss returns to the organization after being outrighted along with four others, including Vargas, on Nov. 5. He was assigned to the Triple-A Reno Aces on Tuesday and joins lefty Tommy Henry and righty Taylor Rashi as pitchers assigned to the minor league club this month after logging pitches with the D-backs in 2025.

The 6-foot-5 Texas product made 30 appearances last season for Arizona and recorded one save with a 3.93 ERA. He was one of the D-backs’ MLB-record 17 relievers to notch a save.

Curtiss posted a 0.93 WHIP and 3.5% walk rate in 36.2 innings pitched during his first season with the Diamondbacks.

August was his most consistent month with a 2.12 ERA and 0.59 WHIP in 12 appearances (17.0 innings pitched).

He sported a four-pitch arsenal in 2025, leaning largely on his four-seam fastball (54%) and cutter (30%).

Right-handers Antonio Menendez and Sean Harney were other recent arm additions to the Aces following their contracts being purchased in the Rule 5 Draft on Dec. 10.

Arizona made a huge step toward shoring up their starting rotation by signing free agent Merrill Kelly on Sunday and is still on the lookout for 2026 bullpen depth this offseason.

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