The Arizona Diamondbacks recalled left-handed reliever Andrew Saalfrank from the Triple-A Reno Aces on Wednesday.
Additionally, the team optioned right-handed pitcher Bryce Jarvis to Reno following Tuesday’s loss to the San Diego Padres.
The move comes after Saalfrank was reinstated last month from a yearlong suspension for betting on baseball while a minor leaguer in 2021 and 2022.
Upon his reinstatement, the reliever spent two games with the ACL D-backs before moving up to Triple-A ball with the Aces.
In his 10 games with Reno this season (11.1 innings pitched), Saalfrank registered two saves to go along with a 7.15 ERA and 1.412 WHIP. He struck out 14 and walked 10.
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“We’re gonna piece it together the best way we can,” skipper Torey Lovullo told reporters ahead of Tuesday’s loss to the Padres. “I’m not gonna say anybody’s gonna close the game.”
Alongside Saalfrank in Arizona’s bullpen are higher-leverage arms Kevin Ginkel, Jalen Beeks and rookies Kyle Backhus and Juan Morillo.
Why was Andrew Saalfrank suspended by MLB?
Saalfrank was among five suspended in June 2024 for betting on baseball in 2021 and 2022. The reliever wagered $445.87 across 28 MLB-related bets as a minor leaguer. He won five of those bets.
It was discovered Saalfrank bet on four D-backs games but did not appear in any of those instances nor did he bet on his assigned team.
Had that been the case, he would have received a permanent ban similar to the punishment handed down to former Padres utility man Tucupita Marcano.
Per Rule 21(d) in the MLB rulebook:
“Any player, umpire, or club or league official or employee, who shall bet any sum whatsoever upon any baseball game in connection with which the bettor has no duty to perform, shall be declared ineligible for one year. Any player, umpire, or club or league official or employee, who shall bet any sum whatsoever upon any baseball game in connection with which the bettor has a duty to perform, shall be declared permanently ineligible.”
Before his suspension, D-backs fans will most likely remember Saalfrank for his 2023 effort in Arizona’s World Series run. Across 11 appearances, he recorded a 3.18 ERA, two strikeouts and eight walks in 5.2 innings of work.
Diamondbacks option RHP Bryce Jarvis
Jarvis has appeared in eight games for the D-backs this season. He sports a 4.40 ERA and 1.395 WHIP with 13 strikeouts and seven walks.
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