Scott

McGough

No surprise here after McGough struggled to an inflated 7.44 ERA, 1.68 WHIP and 25/21 K/BB ratio across 32 2/3 innings (26 appearances, two starts) this season for the Diamondbacks.

McGough has a 6.83 ERA in 29 innings for the Diamondbacks this season, but he was throwing well in Triple-A; his last six appearances had seen him allow one hit, walk none and struck out six in seven innings. He’ll work in middle relief.

McGough was optioned to create room on the roster for Merrill Kelly (shoulder). The 34-year-old was only up for two days, and he’ll likely be an up-and-down arm for the remainder of 2024.

The 34-year-old right-hander was shipped out at the end of June after posting a 7.33 ERA, 1.70 WHIP and a 20/18 K/BB ratio over 27 innings with the Diamondbacks. The results were improved at the Triple-A level — posting a 3.00 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and a 24/9 K/BB ratio over 24 frames — though he still probably won’t be trusted in any high-leverage situations.

McGough was shipped back to the minors ahead of Friday’s game against the Athletics after compiling an underwhelming 7.33 ERA, 1.70 WHIP and 20/18 K/BB ratio across 27 innings (22 appearances, two starts) this season.

McGough was essentially an opener for a bullpen day, but he ended up going deeper than the arms behind him. The right-hander struck out two while issuing one walk. There’s a good chance McGough works in a similar capacity next week against the Phillies, but there’ll be no reason for fantasy consideration.

It sounds like it will be some sort of modified bullpen day for the Diamondbacks, but they may need some reinforcements after Ryne Nelson lasted only 3 1/3 innings in Saturday’s lopsided loss. Expect the Diamondbacks to bring in a couple of fresh arms on Sunday.

He’ll take the place of Humberto Castellanos in the Diamondbacks’ bullpen. McGough has already made 15 appearances out of the Diamondbacks’ bullpen this season, registering an unappealing 6.75 ERA, 1.75 WHIP and a 10/10 K/BB ratio over his 16 innings of work.

It seemed an inevitability that McGough would hit the injured list after Diamondbacks’ skipper Torey Lovullo told reporters on Saturday that he was unavailable due to injury and that he’d give further details on Sunday. The 33-year-old hurler will miss the remainder of the regular season at a minimum. He’s set to undergo an MRI exam on Monday to determine the full extent of the injury.

It’s unclear if it’s an illness or injury that has McGough sidelined, but Lovullo said that he would have more information on the situation on Sunday. That could mean a trip to the injured list is in the cards. Either way, expect the Diamondbacks to add a fresh arm to help the cause on Sunday.