ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS
D-backs select LHP Dallas Keuchel to big league roster, will start Sunday
The Arizona Diamondbacks have selected left handed pitcher Dallas Keuchel from Rookie ACL D-backs and the former American League Cy Young winner will make his first start on Sunday against the Detroit Tigers.
In a corresponding move, the D-backs optioned reliever Sean Poppen to Triple-A Reno and designated right handed pitcher Ryan Weiss for assignment.
Keuchel signed with Arizona on June 7, agreeing to a minor league deal after he was designated for assignment by the Chicago White Sox on May 28.
“It has been a steady work in progress,” manager Torey Lovullo told reporters Sunday. “He’s been throwing bullpens, obviously from that day moving forward he has been throwing in some games and started showing some very positive results.”
The lefty made eight starts this season for the White Sox and gave up 28 earned runs across 32.0 innings for a 7.88 ERA with a 2-5 record.
“He and (Brent Strom) have a very strong relationship and they were able to get right to the important portions of his delivery that will help him get the results,” Lovullo said.
Keuchel won the Cy Young in 2015 with the Houston Astros, where he had a 20-8 record to go with a 2.48 ERA. He was the All-Star Game starter in 2015 and made another appearance in 2017.
Sunday will mark Keuchel’s first MLB start since May 26.
He made an appearance for the ACL D-backs, the organization’s rookie affiliate, on Monday pitching the whole duration of the seven-inning game, striking out 13 batters giving up two runs on five hits.
“The bottom line is that he went out and threw seven innings, 90 plus pitches and executed a very good gameplan in his last outing,” Lovullo said.
“We need to do everything we can to win a ballgame and that equation includes Dallas Keuchel for certain, how long it lasts im not certain.”
Weiss, 25, spent time between both Triple-A Reno and Double-A Amarillo in 2022. In 17 appearances, Weiss registered a 5.74 ERA.
As for Poppen, the veteran reliever heads to Reno after pitching 21.2 innings with the D-backs.
June was Poppen’s busiest month of the season, throwing eight innings. His last appearance came in Friday’s loss to the Tigers, where he gave one run on two hits while recording three outs.
The D-backs play host to the Tigers at 1:10 p.m. with coverage on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station.
