Zach Davies returns from IL, Diamondbacks make 5 other roster moves

Arizona Diamondbacks right-handed pitcher Zach Davies returned from the injured list on Monday and will start after missing over a month of action.

In addition, the D-backs made five other roster moves. Arizona recalled infielder Seth Beer and selected right-handed pitcher Kevin Ginkel from Triple-A Reno after optioning infielder Yonny Hernandez and right-handed pitcher Corbin Martin to the Aces. Left-handed pitcher Caleb Smith was placed on the 15-day injured list after breaking his non-throwing hand after being taken out of Saturday’s game in Atlanta.

“Caleb broke his hand by punching something that he shouldn’t have been punching,” manager Torey Lovullo told reporters Monday. “I don’t know exactly what it was, but he was very frustrated when he came out of the game.”

How long Smith will be sidelined and whether or not he will require surgery remains unknown.

“The one tiny, tiny piece that’s a silver lining, it’s his right hand and he can still throw a baseball,” Lovullo added. “Once he’s cleared for full baseball activity, it’s not going to be a huge ramp up to get his arm back in shape. And that’s a small silver lining.”

Bally Sports Arizona’s Jody Jackson first reported Davies’ return on Sunday afternoon.

The D-backs placed Davies on the 15-day IL on June 28 (retroactive to June 26) for right shoulder inflammation. He faced live hitters last week, according to MLB.com, after throwing a 35-pitch bullpen on June 22.

Davies has started 15 games and owns a 3.94 ERA this season, his first with Arizona. The Mesquite High School alum had a strong June ahead of his IL stint, as he tossed five games with a 2.56 ERA and 25 strikeouts. He threw five innings and allowed two earned runs in his most recent start on June 25.

Zach Davies was the bright spot tonight.

6.1 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 6 K pic.twitter.com/B2UUobmv2b

— Bally Sports Arizona (@BALLYSPORTSAZ) May 8, 2022

Davies’ return comes one day before Tuesday’s MLB trade deadline. The righty is rumored to be a trade candidate considering his upcoming free agency.

Beer has spent the majority of 2022 with the Aces after making the D-backs’ Opening Day roster. He has 81 at-bats in the big leagues this year with a .210 batting average.

Ginkel does not have an appearance for Arizona this season after making a combined 76 from 2019-21. For the Aces this season, Ginkel sports a 1.17 ERA across 30.2 innings in relief.

Hernandez was recalled on Friday and has produced two hits and two walks in 28 plate appearances for Arizona.

The D-backs recently gave Martin two cracks in the starting rotation and Martin’s 8.0 innings pitched resulted in five earned runs on 10 hits and six walks with seven strikeouts. His ERA on the season in seven outings is 4.84.

Smith began the year as a starter before quickly getting moved into a relief role. He pitched in 10 July games alone and gave up four earned runs in 11.1 innings.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

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