Diamondbacks recall top pitching prospect Yilber Diaz, option Slade Cecconi

The Arizona Diamondbacks recalled top pitching prospect Yilber Diaz from Triple-A Reno and optioned reliever Slade Cecconi, the club announced on Thursday.

Diaz returns for his second major league opportunity after making four starts for the Diamondbacks in July. He filled in with Merrill Kelly and Eduardo Rodriguez on the injured list.

The 23-year-old put together three very promising starts at Chase Field totaling 17 innings with two earned runs, 14 strikeouts and seven walks. He also allowed seven earned runs in Kansas City, so overall he worked a 4.05 ERA in his first MLB look.

Diaz returned to Reno with Rodriguez and Kelly rejoining the mix, and over his last two appearances, the Aces had him working out of the bullpen. He threw two shutout innings in relief on Saturday, his most recent outing. Diaz produced a 3.18 ERA in Triple-A after getting sent down on July 29.

The right-hander from Venezuela leans on a mid-90s heater with a wipe-out slider and a curveball.

He is Arizona’s No. 6 prospect on MLB pipeline, and his journey to the major leagues has received attention as he overcame overwhelming odds from stepping away from baseball as a teenager, selling candy and energy drinks on the street to signing a contract with the Diamondbacks.

Diaz rejoins the club as it holds onto the top National League Wild Card spot — three games up on the Atlanta Braves on the outside looking in — with 16 games to play.

How about a ANOTHER baker’s dozen for Yilber Diaz?

The @Dbacks‘ No. 6 prospect equals a career high with his second 13-strikeout performance of ’24 for the Triple-A @Aces! pic.twitter.com/jL5SI42vHM

— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) August 28, 2024

Diamondbacks option Slade Cecconi

Cecconi heads back to Reno after another turbulent outing in relief on Wednesday. The right-hander entered a game against the Texas Rangers after Kelly exited with right hamstring cramping.

With a runner on first, Cecconi committed a disengagement violation — as the two check-ins carried over. The runner, Leody Taveras, stole third and scored on an infield single on which it appeared Cecconi failed to cover first base.

Cecconi was pulled with the bases loaded and two outs after allowing another run to score.

The 25-year-old allowed earned runs in all five relief appearances for the Diamondbacks after transitioning from a starting role.

Cecconi has a 6.66 ERA in the big leagues this year and has started 13 major league games while Arizona dealt with its pitching injuries throughout the first half.

The Diamondbacks host the Milwaukee Brewers for three games, starting on Friday.

Jordan Lawlar update

Diamondbacks top prospect Jordan Lawlar was assigned from Double-A Amarillo to Triple-A Reno on Thursday.

Lawlar was activated on Sunday after spending nearly three months on the injured list with hamstring issues. He played two games with the Sod Poodles before being returned to Reno.

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