D-backs GM Towers: Team expected pitcher McCarthy to miss time
The Arizona Diamondbacks finished their season at 81-81 and wasn’t a factor down the stretch in the playoff race, so the focus is now on what went wrong for the club and what needs to change for next year.
Brandon McCarthy agreed to a two-year, $15 million deal in the offseason but was placed on the disabled list for about two months as he dealt with a shoulder issue that limited him to 22 starts.
D-backs General Manager Kevin Towers said in his final press conference of the season on Sunday the team anticipated an injury and is prepared for McCarthy to deal with another one next season.
“He’s going to spend some, probably, time again on the DL next year. That’s just his history,” Towers said. “We knew that when we signed him. But if he throws that two-seamer sinker like he did and keeps the ball down, and the way he’s pitched the second half, I think we’ve got a bona fide starter right there. And I think we’ve got the depth with our young pitchers to pick up the innings he doesn’t provide us next year.”
Towers added they expected McCarthy to contribute around 150 innings each year. In 2013, McCarthy finished with 135 innings and went 5-11 with a 4.53 ERA. McCarthy’s career high in innings pitched came in 2011 with the Oakland Athletics when he totaled 170.2.
