Anthony DeSclafani will start for the Diamondbacks on Sunday vs. the Royals. It will be the 35-year-old right hander’s first start in almost exactly two years.
DeSclafani has made four appearances as a long reliever for Arizona since signing a major league deal with the club on June 15, but is yet to throw more than three innings in a relief apperance.
In four relief appearances this season, DeSclafani has tossed 9.1 innings and carries a 4.82 ERA. He has struck out nine and walked two, while allowing three home runs and five earned runs.
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said Friday DeSclafani is stretched out enough to provide 70-75 pitches on Sunday.
Because the Diamondbacks are playing 17 games in 17 days, Lovullo wanted to get an extra day of rest for the rotation.
When was the last time Anthony DeSclafani started?
This will be DeSclafani’s first start since July 23, 2023, when he pitched for the San Francisco Giants (2021-23). He spent time in the Minnesota Twins’ organization in 2024 but did not pitch at all after suffering a right elbow strain that required flexor tendon surgery.
DeSclafani also spent time with Miami (2014) and Cincinnati (2015-20) and has 180 games of major-league experience.
Before the Diamondbacks signed him in June, he had been pitching for the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, the New York Yankees’ Triple-A affiliate, where he made five starts.
In five Triple-A starts this season, he holds a 4.50 ERA and 1.65 WHIP with a .300 batting average against over 20 innings.
Catch the rubber match between the Diamondbacks and Royals at 1:10 p.m. Sunday on 98.7 or the Arizona Sports app.
