ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

D-backs call up J.B. Wendelken after claiming him off waivers Wednesday

Aug 13, 2021, 3:41 PM

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 07: J.B. Wendelken #57 of the Oakland Athletics pitches against the Te...

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 07: J.B. Wendelken #57 of the Oakland Athletics pitches against the Texas Rangers at RingCentral Coliseum on August 07, 2021 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

(Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

After claiming him off waivers from the Oakland Athletics on Wednesday, the Arizona Diamondbacks have called up reliever J.B. Wendelken to the big league roster, the team announced Friday.

In a corresponding move, the team optioned reliever Sean Poppen down to Triple-A Reno following last night’s win over the San Diego Padres.

“Getting a guy like J.B. into the system we feel like is a no-brainer and we’re all excited to meet him,” said D-backs manager Torey Lovullo following the move. “We know that he’s had a lot of success throwing the baseball for the A’s.”

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 (36-80) 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 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.

Arizona Diamondbacks

Emmanuel Rivera #15 of the Arizona Diamondbacks hits a single against the Miami Marlins during the ...

Alex Weiner

D-backs’ Emmanuel Rivera building role after challenge to prove himself

Emmanuel Rivera started the year in Reno with something to prove and has been a consistent threat in the D-backs' lineup since coming back.

1 day ago

Gabriel Moreno #14 of the Arizona Diamondbacks gets ready in the batters box against the Milwaukee ...

Alex Weiner

D-backs catcher Gabriel Moreno learning on the job, Carson Kelly nears return

D-backs catchers Gabriel Moreno and Jose Herrera have held down the fort with Carson Kelly on the 60-day injured list.

1 day ago

Eddie Rosario #8 of the Atlanta Braves hits a grand slam against the Arizona Diamondbacks during th...

Arizona Sports

D-backs’ bullpen falters late in rubber match with Braves

Miguel Castro's blown save cost the Arizona Diamondbacks a series victory against the Atlanta Braves at Chase Field.

2 days ago

Starting pitcher Merrill Kelly #29 of the Arizona Diamondbacks is removed by manager Torey Lovullo ...

Alex Weiner

Dark 2021 season continues to motivate newly-extended Torey Lovullo, D-backs

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said after agreeing to an extension he learned from 2021 and uses that season as a motivator.

1 day ago

Manager Torey Lovullo #17 of the Arizona Diamondbacks talks with home plate umpire Lance Barksdale ...

Arizona Sports

D-backs manager Torey Lovullo at peace with 1-year extensions

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said he is out to prove himself every year, even if he would love to stay with Arizona long term.

2 days ago

Josh Rojas #10 of the Arizona Diamondbacks is tagged out by Sean Murphy #12 of the Atlanta Braves a...

Alex Weiner

Diamondbacks out-executed by Braves, win streak snapped

Atlanta ended Arizona's six-game winning streak with a 5-2 victory, one in which Spencer Strider tossed six innings with two earned runs.

2 days ago

D-backs call up J.B. Wendelken after claiming him off waivers Wednesday