D-backs claim J.B. Wendelken off waivers, option Seth Frankoff to Reno
Aug 11, 2021, 11:34 AM | Updated: 2:42 pm
J.B. Wendelken #57 of the Oakland Athletics pitches during the game against the Minnesota Twins at RingCentral Coliseum on April 21, 2021 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images)
(Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images)
The Arizona Diamondbacks announced a couple of roster moves on Wednesday.
The D-backs have claimed former Oakland Athletic’s reliever J.B. Wendelken off waivers and optioned right-handed pitcher Seth Frankoff to Triple-A Reno after reinstating him from the 60-day injured list.
The 28-year-old Wendelken appeared in 26 games with Oakland this year before he was designated for assignment on Tuesday.
He joins the D-backs (35-79) holding a 4.32 ERA with 12 earned runs and 13 walks to 26 strikeouts.
It’s been a drop-off after the right-hander posted a 1.80 ERA in an equal 25.0 innings pitched a year ago.
Wendelken has struggled mightily against left-handed batters this season. Righties are hitting .226 against him, but that balloons to a .357 average facing left-handed batters.
He brings a punch to the Diamondbacks’ bullpen. Wendelken has averaged 93.5 mph on his fastball this year and complements that with a slider he throws 26% of the time.
Wendelken has a 3.62 ERA over his major league career, which has all been with Oakland.
The Middle Georgia State product was a 13th-round draft pick by the Boston Red Sox in 2012.
The soon-to-be 33-year-old Frankoff came off the IL due to right forearm soreness.
In four appearances (three starts) for the Diamondbacks this season, he has an 0-2 record with a 9.20 ERA (15 earned runs allowed) to go along with 11 strikeouts and nine walks over 14.2 innings pitched to give him a WHIP of 1.977.
Frankoff last pitched for Arizona against the Brewers in Milwaukee on June 3 in his only relief appearance for the D-backs in 2021.
Arizona’s roster now stands at 39 players with one open spot as of Wednesday.
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