D-backs move Caleb Smith to bullpen, Humberto Castellanos to start Sunday

The Arizona Diamondbacks shuffled their starting rotation on Friday, sending Caleb Smith to the bullpen.

Humberto Castellanos will take over Smith’s Sunday start against the New York Mets, manager Torey Lovullo told reporters.

Smith heads to the bullpen after just one start in 2022. In a 10-5 loss to the San Diego Padres last Sunday, Smith lasted just an inning-plus before getting pulled. He allowed four earned runs on two hits and three walks. He also struck out two and posted a nine-pitch first frame.

“Lost feel for my pitches and lost command of the strike zone,” Smith told reporters after the loss. “Just couldn’t regain that before things started getting out of control.”

It’s not the first time Arizona has opted to move Smith to the bullpen.

Last season, Smith was relegated to the pen following his April 3 start in 2021. It wouldn’t be until June 1 (18 games later) that Smith would get another start. Over 12 consecutive starts from June to August, Smith went 3-9 with a 6.83 ERA. In 32 total games out of the bullpen, his ERA plummeted to 2.70.

Castellanos heads to the starting rotation after seeing two games out of the bullpen (three innings pitched) this season. Over those two matchups, Castellanos sports a 6.00 ERA to go along with two earned runs on five hits and a walk. He also struck out two.

The D-backs take on the Mets at 10:10 a.m. on Friday. Tune to ESPN 620 AM or 98.7 FM HD-2 for all the action.

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