Diamondbacks select RHP John Curtiss, DFA Tayler Scott

PHOENIX — The Arizona Diamondbacks selected the contract of right-handed pitcher John Curtiss from Triple-A Reno and designated right-hander Tayler Scott for assignment in another bullpen reshuffle on Saturday.

Curtiss signed a minor league deal with the Diamondbacks ahead of spring training and has spent this season pitching for Triple-A Reno. In 32.2 innings, he sported a 6.34 ERA with 28 strikeouts and nine walks.

The 32-year-old last pitched in the major leagues briefly last year with the Colorado Rockies, although he only made three appearances. His most recent somewhat extended major league run was in 2023 with Colorado, when he worked a 4.58 ERA in 19.2 innings pitched.

Curtiss has thrown 108.2 career MLB innings with a 4.06 ERA. He was a member of the 2020 American League-winning Tampa Bay Rays’ bullpen along with fellow D-backs relievers Jalen Beeks and Ryan Thompson.

Scott pitched two innings of relief on Friday against the visiting Miami Marlins, allowing three earned runs off a pair of home runs. The Diamondbacks fell behind 9-5 when Miami’s Otto Lopez took Scott deep in the ninth inning, and they nearly mounted another heroic comeback before falling, 9-8.

Scott — who was born in South Africa and attended Notre Dame Prep in Scottsdale — threw nine innings for the Diamondbacks with nine earned runs (four home runs), seven strikeouts and four walks before getting DFA’d.

After Friday’s game, manager Torey Lovullo explained why he left Scott in for a second inning.

“We’ve got 17 games in a row,” Lovullo said. “There’s positive and negative roles, but I want everybody to pitch. I’ve studied the game a long time. I’ve studied some of the managers that have a lot of success in that space.

“You gotta use all eight of your relievers. You can’t just keep leaning on four or five. Eventually, in any sport, your starting five in basketball is gonna gas out. Your best five relievers by the end of the season are gonna gas out. You’ve got to rely on the entire group. I felt like it was a good spot for him, just didn’t work out.”

The Diamondbacks are low on available relief options given the number of injuries the club has experienced both in the major and minor leagues. The trade deadline is more than a month away on July 31, so finding value with veterans on the waiver wire or in the minor leagues is a strategy to fill innings.

Saturday’s game between the Diamondbacks and Marlins begins at 1:10 p.m. MST. Tune to 98.7 and the Arizona Sports app. 

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