Tony Sipp designated for assignment by Arizona Diamondbacks
After Kevin Towers’ lone trade deadline move landed the Arizona Diamondbacks a proven left-handed specialist, on Sunday, the team designated left-handed reliever Tony Sipp for assignment.
Sipp, who previously filled the left-handed specialist role for the Diamondbacks — most often entering games to face left-handed hitters in important situations — was effectively replaced on July 31, when the team acquired Joe Thatcher from the Padres in exchange for Opening Day starter Ian Kennedy.
In 32.2 innings pitched for the Diamondbacks this season, Sipp had a 3.86 ERA and a 3-1 record. The 30-year-old struggled against left-handed hitters, however, showing greater effectiveness against righties. In 75 collective plate appearances against Sipp, left-handed hitters had a .351 on-base percentage and a .250 batting average. Right-handed hitters, meanwhile, were batting just .210 against Sipp in 62 total at-bats this season.
Sipp came to the Diamondbacks along with shortstop Didi Gregorius in the three-way trade that sent Trevor Bauer to the Cleveland Indians and Shin Soo-Choo to the Cincinnati Reds, amid other related transactions.
Brandon McCarthy was activated from the disabled list in a corresponding move, scheduled to make his first start since May 31 on Sunday versus the Boston Red Sox.
