ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

Diamondbacks to start LHP Alex Young on Thursday

Jun 27, 2019, 3:22 PM | Updated: 3:24 pm

(Twitter photo/@Aces)...

(Twitter photo/@Aces)

(Twitter photo/@Aces)

The Arizona Diamondbacks are starting Triple-A Reno pitcher Alex Young on Thursday, manager Torey Lovullo announced after Tuesday’s loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The D-backs finalized the roster move before the game Thursday by selecting Young’s contract and optioning reliever Stefan Crichton to the Aces. Outfielder Steven Souza Jr. was transferred to the 60-day injured list to open room on the 40-man roster for Young.

“I remember a couple of his outings, I remember a couple things that he did in spring training,” Lovullo said Wednesday of Young. “I was impressed with the short looks that we got. And that’s what spring training’s all about: make a positive impression on the staff. You know you’re not going to make the team, you’re there just for a quick shot.”

Young had been expected to be called up by the D-backs, as 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station‘s John Gambadoro said Tuesday. As of Wednesday, he was still not on the roster, but he had joined the team.

“We wanted to get him here and just get him close to the guys, some new faces,” Lovullo said. “He hasn’t spent a lot of time around a lot of these guys. So just to use that as a comfort day just to get in here and get his feet on the ground.”

Young is a 25-year-old left-hander who has yet to make his MLB debut since being drafted in the second round by Arizona in 2015.

Arizona could use another arm as it has struggled to get quality starting pitching from their fifth spot in the rotation. Top pitching prospect Jon Duplantier has been hurt, as has Luke Weaver. Lovullo told Burns & Gambo on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station on Tuesday that Zack Godley will go back to the bullpen.

Young owns a 6.09 ERA in 20 appearances in Reno this year, eight of those appearances being starts. He has thrown 54.2 innings and has a 1.683 WHIP. In fairness to Young, the Aces play in a hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League. 

His ERA in eight starts this season is 5.79 in 32.2 innings pitched.

The Illinois native attended Texas Christian University and had a 1.29 ERA in his first season of professional baseball. In nine starts with Double-A Jackson last season, Young had an ERA of 3.91. It was 5.96 in Reno last year.

Crichton, a 27-year-old right-hander, has made eight appearances for Arizona this season and has a 4.50 ERA over 10 innings. This was his second stint of the season with the D-backs.

He was originally acquired from the Baltimore Orioles in April of 2018 for cash before being released in June of that year. He was then signed to a minor-league contract by Arizona and pitched in Triple-A to wrap up last season and begin 2019.

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Ross Stripling throws against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, June 25, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Robbie Ray throws against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, June 25, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Diamondbacks' Eduardo Escobar (5) celebrates his run scored against the Los Angeles Dodgers with teammate Christian Walker (53) during the first inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, June 25, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Los Angeles Dodgers' Enrique Hernandez (14) celebrates his home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks with Dodgers' Justin Turner (10) during the first inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, June 25, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Diamondbacks' David Peralta watches the flight of his run-scoring double against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, June 25, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Los Angeles Dodgers' Enrique Hernandez, right, celebrates his home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks with teammates, including Clayton Kershaw, left, during the first inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, June 25, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals NFL football team rookie quarterback Kyler Murray throws out the first pitch prior to a baseball game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Los Angeles Dodgers, Tuesday, June 25, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Coyotes NHL hockey team first round draft choice, Victor Soderstrom, of Sweden, wrist-shots the first pitch prior to a baseball game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Los Angeles Dodgers, Tuesday, June 25, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Matt Beaty, middle, tosses the ball to Dodgers starting pitcher Ross Stripling (68) to get Arizona Diamondbacks' Eduardo Escobar out at first base as Dodgers' Austin Barnes (15) looks on during the third inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, June 25, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Los Angeles Dodgers' Alex Verdugo (27) celebrates his run scored against the Arizona Diamondbacks with teammate Will Smith during the sixth inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, June 25, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Joe Kelly drops a pop-fly, foul ball hit by Arizona Diamondbacks' Carson Kelly during the fourth inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, June 25, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Los Angeles Dodgers' Justin Turner, left, rounds the bases after hitting a home run as Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Nick Ahmed (13) looks on during the sixth inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, June 25, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte (4) tries a back-handed tag as Los Angeles Dodgers' Chris Taylor (3) slides safely into second with a stolen base during the eighth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, June 25, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Kenley Jansen (74) celebrates with catcher Will Smith after the final out of the team's baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday, June 25, 2019, in Phoenix. The Dodgers defeated the Diamondbacks 3-2. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Los Angeles Dodgers' Enrique Hernandez, middle, celebrates with manager Dave Roberts (30) as Alex Verdugo, left, looks in another direction after the team's baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday, June 25, 2019, in Phoenix. The Dodgers won 3-2. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith throws to first base for the out on Arizona Diamondbacks' Carson Kelly during the ninth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, June 25, 2019, in Phoenix. The Dodgers won 3-2. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Members of Chase Field security detain a spectator who ran on the field as Los Angeles Dodgers' Kyle Garlick, left, Enrique Hernandez, third from left, and Alex Verdugo, fourth from left, stand nearby after the final out of the team's baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday, June 25, 2019, in Phoenix. The Dodgers won 3-2. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

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