CHICAGO — Right-hander Drey Jameson is back in the majors for the first time since undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2023.
Jameson was recalled from Triple-A Reno on Saturday, joining the Diamondbacks at Wrigley Field in Chicago. He took the place of left-hander A.J. Puk, who was placed on the 15-day injured list with left elbow inflammation.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Jameson hurt his elbow in July 2023 and ultimately underwent surgery that September, costing him all of last season. He made seven appearances with Triple-A Reno, posting a 2.70 ERA with no walks and 10 strikeouts in 6 2/3 innings.
“It’s definitely a big accomplishment for me,” Jameson said of getting back to the majors. “I was talking to my mom this morning and it was like, getting called for the (major league) debut and getting this call is different. Just because I went through a lot of struggles with the recovery from Tommy John and being able to bounce back and get back here as quick as I did was big for me.”
Jameson said he dealt with elbow soreness after one of his first appearances in Reno but has otherwise bounced back well from all of his outings. His velocity has consistently sat in the mid-to-upper 90s.
Jameson, 27, has been one of the club’s top young pitchers for years. Splitting time between starting and reliever, Jameson owns a 2.63 ERA in 65 career innings in the majors. The club decided this year to turn him into a full-time reliever.
CHICAGO — The Diamondbacks are hoping they have found a difference-making relief arm in Juan Morillo, a power-armed right-hander whom the club signed to a minor league deal in November.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Morillo, 26, spent seven seasons in the Los Angeles Dodgers organization, exhibiting power stuff – including a fastball in the triple digits — but struggling to cut back on his walks.
This year, however, he has been filling up the strike zone and earned his first callup to the majors. He was one of three new relievers to join the Diamondbacks for the second game of their series at Wrigley Field on Saturday.
“He looked great in spring training,” Diamondbacks general manager Mike Hazen said.
“He’s thrown the ball great in Reno. He’s got a huge arm. The strike-throwing has been the thing — once he gets that figured out and locks in that stuff, gets in the zone. … If this kid can figure that out, he’s got a big arm.”
Advertisement
Advertisement
In seven innings during spring training, Morillo did not allow a run in seven innings, walking one while striking out 10. He continued that success in Reno, where he allowed just one run in 6 1/3 innings, with two walks and eight strikeouts.
Last season in Double-A Tulsa, Morillo posted a 4.76 ERA in 51 innings, issuing 5.1 walks per nine innings.
He last pitched in Reno on Thursday, averaging 98.5 mph with his fastball and 89.4 mph with his slider.
Diamondbacks RHP Zac Gallen (1-2, 4.64) vs. Cubs RHP Ben Brown (2-1, 5.09).
At Wrigley Field: Gallen gave up two runs in six innings against the Brewers in his most recent start, striking out five and walking three. … He has been up and down this year, alternating good outings with bad ones, though occasionally shaky defense behind him has not helped his cause. … Wrigley Field is the site of Gallen’s only career nine-inning complete game. He fired a three-hit shutout against the Cubs on Sept. 8, 2023. … Brown threw six scoreless innings against the Dodgers in his most recent start. It was by far his best outing of the year and one of the better starts of his young career. … Brown possesses loud stuff, including a fastball that sits 95.4 mph and a curveball that elicits a 38.8 percent whiff rate. He also has a change-up but uses it infrequently. … He faced the Diamondbacks once last year, giving up just one run in six innings.
Sunday, April 20: At Chicago, 11:20 a.m., Diamondbacks RHP Merrill Kelly (3-1, 5.57) vs. Cubs RHP Jameson Taillon (1-1, 5.40).
Advertisement
Advertisement
Monday, April 21: Off.
Tuesday, April 22: At Chase Field, 6:40 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Brandon Pfaadt (3-1, 3.04) vs. Rays RHP Zack Littell (0-4, 5.48).
Wednesday, April 23: At Chase Field, 6:40 p.m., Diamondbacks LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (1-2, 4.09) vs. Rays RHP Taj Bradley (2-1, 5.24).
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Diamondbacks at Cubs: Drey Jameson back in big leagues
