ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

D-backs call up RHP Jon Duplantier, option INF Ildemaro Vargas

Apr 1, 2019, 2:59 PM | Updated: 3:00 pm
Arizona Diamondbacks and the U.S. Team pitcher Jon Duplantier throws during the All-Star Futures ba...
Arizona Diamondbacks and the U.S. Team pitcher Jon Duplantier throws during the All-Star Futures baseball game, Sunday, July 9, 2017, in Miami. The U.S. Team won 7-6. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
(AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Right-handed pitcher Jon Duplantier, MLB Pipeline’s No. 2 prospect in the Arizona Diamondbacks system, makes his MLB roster debut after being recalled from Triple-A Reno on Monday. In a corresponding move, the D-backs optioned infielder Ildemaro Vargas to the minors.

Duplantier joins the team as it opens a three-game road series against the San Diego Padres.

Arizona likely makes the move to bring the 24-year-old pitcher out of the bullpen after a grueling four-game series ate away at the arms of the team’s relievers.

D-backs starter Zack Godley lasted the longest of the four starters who have thrown so far this year, going just 5.1 innings in an eventual 18-5 loss Saturday that ended with catcher John Ryan Murphy throwing 2.0 frames.

Duplantier has yet to pitch with Reno this year and last season was with Double-A Jackson.

In 2018, he went 5-1 in 14 starts for a 2.69 ERA and 1.19 WHIP. The 6-foot-4 power pitcher struck out 9.13 batters per nine innings.

The prior season, Duplantier was named MLB Pipeline’s Pitcher of the Year and was named to the first team of Baseball America’s Minor League All-Star Team. His 1.39 ERA between Single-A Kane County and Single-A Visalia was the second-lowest by a minor league pitcher in the last 25 years.

Duplantier was Arizona’s 2016 third-round draft pick out of Rice.

Arizona Diamondbacks' Ketel Marte, right, celebrates with Jake Lamb after both scoring off a two-run double by Nick Ahmed during the fourth inning of an MLB baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Los Angeles, Sunday, March 31, 2019. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo) Arizona Diamondbacks' Nick Ahmed follows through on a swing for a two-run double during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Los Angeles, Sunday, March 31, 2019. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo) Arizona Diamondbacks' Luke Weaver celebrates with the dugout after hitting a two-run home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Los Angeles, Sunday, March 31, 2019. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo) Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Chris Taylor, center, throws to first after forcing out Arizona Diamondbacks' Wilmer Flores, left, to complete a double play during the fourth inning of a baseball game as Enrique Hernandez looks on in Los Angeles, Sunday, March 31, 2019. Ildemaro Vargas was out at first base. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo) Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Pedro Baez, left, reacts after allowing a two-run home run to Arizona Diamondbacks' Luke Weaver during the fourth inning of an MLB baseball game in Los Angeles, Sunday, March 31, 2019. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo) Arizona Diamondbacks' Luke Weaver celebrates with the dugout after hitting a two-run home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Los Angeles, Sunday, March 31, 2019. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo) Los Angeles Dodgers' Cody Bellinger, foreground, rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run off Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Luke Weaver, background right, during the third inning of an MLB baseball game in Los Angeles, Sunday, March 31, 2019. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo) Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Luke Weaver reacts after allowing a walk to Los Angeles Dodgers' Joc Pederson during the first inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles, Sunday, March 31, 2019. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo) Los Angeles Dodgers' Cody Bellinger, left, celebrates with A.J. Pollock after hitting a solo home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Los Angeles, Sunday, March 31, 2019. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo) Los Angeles Dodgers' Joc Pederson, right, celebrates with Chris Taylor after scoring on a sacrifice fly by Enrique Hernandez during the first inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Los Angeles, Sunday, March 31, 2019. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo) Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Luke Weaver prepares to take the mound during the first inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Los Angeles, Sunday, March 31, 2019. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo) Los Angeles Dodgers' A.J. Pollock, left, celebrates with Cody Bellinger, center, after both scored off a two-run double by Alex Verdugo as Chris Taylor looks on during the first inning of an  baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Los Angeles, Sunday, March 31, 2019. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo) Los Angeles Dodgers' Alex Verdugo hits a two-run double during the first inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Los Angeles, Sunday, March 31, 2019. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo) Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Walker Buehler throws to Arizona Diamondbacks' Wilmer Flores during the first inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles, Sunday, March 31, 2019. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo) Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Luke Weaver throws to Los Angeles Dodgers' Joc Pederson during the first inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles, Sunday, March 31, 2019. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo)

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