The Diamondbacks are optioning Jake McCarthy to Triple-A Reno, per the MLB.com transactions log. John Gambadoro of 98.7 FM in Phoenix means that Jorge Barrosa is prone to be recalled tomorrow to exchange McCarthy within the outfield.
McCarthy has had a horrible begin to the season. He has managed simply three hits in his first 41 at-bats. The 27-year-old is coming off arguably the very best 12 months of his profession. McCarthy hit .285/.349/.400 with eight homers and 25 stolen bases by a career-high 495 plate appearances final season. He earned the Opening Day task in heart subject because of this. His stoop rapidly reduce into his taking part in time, as Alek Thomas has gotten the nod in heart for 5 of the previous six contests.
A great contact hitter, McCarthy has continued to place the ball in play. He has solely fanned in six of 47 plate appearances, however he’s merely doing no harm. He solely has one extra-base knock, a double, with 5 hard-hit balls (ones with an exit velocity of 95 MPH or higher) on the season. McCarthy has by no means had imposing batted ball metrics, however the outcomes turned an excessive amount of to disregard. He’ll have the ability to play every single day in Reno quite than work in a fourth outfield function as he tries to get on observe.
That’ll seemingly afford an MLB alternative for the switch-hitting Barrosa. He made a short main league debut final season, amassing three hits in eight video games. He hit .270/.360/.421 over 75 Triple-A video games final season. The Venezuela native is out to a stronger begin in 2025, batting .295/.362/.495 with a trio of homers over 105 plate appearances within the Pacific Coast League.
Elsewhere on the roster, reliever A.J. Puk is scheduled for an MRI at present (hyperlink by way of ESPN’s Jesse Rogers). The southpaw landed on the 15-day injured checklist on Saturday with irritation in his throwing elbow. The Snakes will presumably present a return timeline after getting the imaging outcomes. Puk has been sensible because the D-Backs acquired him from Miami eventually summer season’s deadline. He owns a 1.78 ERA with 55 strikeouts by 35 1/3 frames in an Arizona uniform.
On the opposite aspect of the damage ledger, Arizona activated Blaze Alexander from the 10-day IL and optioned him to Reno on Sunday. The 25-year-old infielder suffered an indirect pressure early in his camp and solely appeared in two Spring Coaching video games. He performed eight video games on a rehab task. Rookie Tim Tawa and speedster Garrett Hampson are splitting the second base taking part in time with Ketel Marte on the injured checklist. Alexander would most likely have gotten these reps had he been totally wholesome all through camp, however he’ll stay in Triple-A in the intervening time.
