Diamondbacks place top pitching prospect Kohl Drake on injured list

The Arizona Diamondbacks placed top pitching prospect Kohl Drake on the injured list with a shoulder sprain on Tuesday, eliminating the possibility he could be a September call-up, according to a team source.

The injury is not expected to affect Drake next season. Arizona acquired the 25-year-old left-hander at the trade deadline as one of three pitching prospects dealt by the Texas Rangers for Merrill Kelly.

Drake threw four innings with no earned runs and seven strikeouts in his most recent start for Triple-A last Wednesday, his fourth appearance since the trade. The D-backs placed him on the development list after the game for workload reasons, but a sprain was found in his shoulder that will cut his season short.

MLB Pipeline has Drake ranked No. 7 on Arizona’s top 30 prospects list, the top pitcher in the rankings. The D-backs also acquired left-hander Mitch Bratt (Double-A) and right-hander David Hagaman (High-A) from Texas for Kelly.

Major league rosters expand on Monday, as teams will be able to carry an extra pitcher. The Diamondbacks have made do with journeyman Nabil Crismatt occupying one of the five rotation spots for the time being.

If the Diamondbacks want to give another young starter a look, prospects Dylan Ray and Spencer Giesting are pitching in Triple-A.

Ryan Thompson begins rehab assignment

Diamondbacks reliever Ryan Thompson (scapular strain) was sent to Triple-A Reno for a rehab assignment on Tuesday.

Thompson threw to live hitters on Friday at Chase Field and is now a step away from returning to Arizona’s bullpen.

The veteran was on his best run of the season before hitting the IL, as he allowed one earned run over his last 14.1 innings pitched. It lowered his ERA to 4.45 after some bumps in the road earlier this year.

He has not pitched for the Diamondbacks since July 4.

Despite the missed time, he is fourth on the team with 36 appearances, a testament to how often he had been used and Arizona’s lack of continuity in the bullpen this year.

Bryce Jarvis saw Monday’s performance as opportunity

Pitcher Bryce Jarvis delivered 5.2 innings of two-run ball in relief on Monday at the Milwaukee Brewers, a performance he hopes shows the organization his ability to pitch deep into a major league game.

Jarvis has worked out of the bullpen this year in the major leagues (4.05 ERA), but he has spent more time as a starter in Triple-A. The 2020 first-round pick still sees himself as better suited to start games, but he has taken pride in the ability to be adaptable.

“It was a huge opportunity and a chance to show that I have the ability to throw 90 pitches, go five-plus innings,” Jarvis told Arizona Sports’ Burns & Gambo on Tuesday. “Hopefully one day that’s starting in the first and not the third.”

With uncertainty regarding Arizona’s rotation not only through the end of September but entering next season, Jarvis is among many players in the clubhouse auditioning for a role going forward.

“Anytime you take the ball is an opportunity to show what you’ve got,” Jarvis said. “The rest of the season has some added emphasis.”

D-backs pitcher Bryce Jarvis joined @BurnsAndGambo to discuss the importance of this closing stretch for players trying to earn a role for next season.

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