The Diamondbacks optioned Walston to Triple-A Reno on Thursday.
Since rejoining the D-backs' bullpen Sept. 15, Walston has surrendered eight runs (five earned) over just 5.2 innings while striking out seven batters and walking one. He and Yilber Diaz will end up as Arizona's roster casualties following the activation of Ryne Nelson (shoulder) and promotion of Alek Thomas, and the 23-year-old Walston likely won't make it back to the majors during the final series of the season this weekend.
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Diamondbacks' Blake Walston: Promoted Sunday
Rotowire
The Diamondbacks recalled Walston from Triple-A Reno on Sunday.
The left-hander was activated from the injured list in mid-August after missing two months due to an elbow issue, but he was immediately sent to Triple-A. Walston has started in two of his three appearances with Arizona this season, but he's likely to work in a long-relief role this time around.
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Diamondbacks' Blake Walston: Comes off IL, optioned to Reno
Rotowire
The Diamondbacks reinstated Walston (elbow) from the 15-day injured list Monday and optioned him to Triple-A Reno.
With Eduardo Rodriguez and Merrill Kelly both recently returning from the IL, the Diamondbacks don't have an open spot on the rotation for Walston. For now, Walston will head down to Triple-A, but the 23-year-old southpaw should eventually make his way back to the big club, possibly as a multi-inning option out of the bullpen if the rotation isn't impacted by injury. Prior to landing on the IL on June 6 due to left elbow inflammation, Walston registered a 2.84 ERA and 1.42 WHIP across 12.2 innings in three major-league appearances (two starts).
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Diamondbacks' Blake Walston: Heads to 15-day IL
Rotowire
Walston was placed on the 15-day injured list Thursday due to left elbow inflammation, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.
Walston was called up to make his first MLB start May 27 and made an additional start Tuesday. He didn't factor in the decision in either start, but he gave up just two earned runs in nine innings. He seemed likely to stick in the rotation prior to the injury. The Diamondbacks selected Humberto Castellanos from Triple-A Reno in a corresponding move.
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Diamondbacks' Blake Walston: Allows two runs Tuesday
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Walston did not factor into the decision in Tuesday's win over the Giants, allowing two runs on two hits and four walks while striking out two over 4.1 innings.
Walston didn't have his best stuff, evidenced by his four walks, but was able to keep the Giants at bay after the Diamondbacks got out to a 3-0 lead. Walston had a full count on six of the first nine hitters he faced and needed 50 pitches to get through two scoreless frames. The Giants eventually got a run across in the fourth and another in the fifth after Kevin Ginkel was unable to strand one of the two runners he inherited. Walston now owns a 2.84 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 11:9 K:BB over 12.2 innings. The 23-year-old figures to get at least another look in the rotation while Zac Gallen (hamstring) makes his way back from injury. Walston lines up to face the Padres on the road this weekend.
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Diamondbacks' Blake Walston: Rewarded with another start
Rotowire
Walston is slated to start Saturday's game against the Mets at Citi Field.
Walston will stick around as the fifth member of Arizona's rotation after he blanked the Marlins over 4.2 innings while striking out four in his first MLB start Sunday. Though the 23-year-old southpaw came through with a passable showing in his first start, fantasy managers should tread carefully with Walston, who has struggled to keep his walks in check at nearly every rung of the minors. Though he issued just one free pass against Miami, Walston walked four batters in his MLB debut May 1, when he tossed 3.2 innings of long relief against the Dodgers.
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Diamondbacks' Blake Walston: Impresses in starting role
Rotowire
Walston did not factor into the decision in Sunday's loss to the Marlins. He tossed 4.2 scoreless innings while allowing just four hits and a walk and striking out four.
Walston kept the Marlins' bats at bay and looked sharp in his first MLB start. He struck out a pair in the opening frame and was able to shut down the minimal scoring opportunities against him. Walston also pounded the zone, throwing 46 of his 65 pitches for strikes while garnering eight whiffs on the afternoon. Manager Torey Lovullo has not yet indicated whether Walston will get another start or not. If he does, the 23-year-old lefty would line up to face the Mets in New York this weekend. He now has nine strikeouts over his first 8.1 big league innings.
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Diamondbacks' Blake Walston: Confirmed for start Sunday
Rotowire
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo confirmed that Walston will be called up from Triple-A Reno to start Sunday's game against the Marlins, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.
He'll step into the rotation spot vacated by Slade Cecconi, who was optioned to Reno earlier in the week. Walston will be making his first MLB start and second MLB appearance Sunday after he was charged with two earned runs on three hits and four walks while striking out five over 3.2 innings in a long-relief appearance May 1 against the Dodgers. The 22-year-old lefty has been a member of the rotation for Reno for much of the season, logging a 4.54 ERA, 1.68 WHIP and 35:20 K:BB across 35.2 innings in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League.
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Diamondbacks' Blake Walston: Back down to Triple-A
Rotowire
Walston was optioned to Triple-A Reno on Thursday.
It was a brief stint for Walston, who was recalled by the Diamondbacks on Wednesday. He threw for 3.2 innings in Wednesday's loss to the Dodgers, allowing two runs on three hits and four walks while striking out five. The move corresponds with Arizona acquiring right-hander Matt Bowman from the Twins on Thursday, while Merrill Kelly (shoulder) was transferred to the 60-day IL.
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Diamondbacks' Blake Walston: Recalled to majors
Rotowire
Walston was recalled from Triple-A Reno on Wednesday.
Walston didn't make the cut for Arizona's Opening Day roster, but he will get a chance to play with the team after five years in the minors. The lefty pitcher has logged a 4.79 ERA and 1.88 WHIP over 20.2 innings in five games played with the Reno Aces so far this year. The 22-year-old will be making his major-league debut when he gets into a game and could work in long relief since he's pitched out of Reno's rotation.
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Diamondbacks' Blake Walston: Protected from Rule 5 Draft
Rotowire
The Diamondbacks added Walston to their 40-man roster Tuesday.
Walston spent all of 2023 with Triple-A Reno, posting a 4.52 ERA and 1.57 WHIP in 149.1 innings. Teams won't be able to pluck Walston away from Arizona in the upcoming Rule 5 Draft, but given his command issues and low strikeout totals, the 22-year-old southpaw has work to do before he can be considered for the major-league roster.
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Diamondbacks' Blake Walston: Getting crushed in Double-A
Rotowire
Walston has a 7.12 ERA, 1.93 WHIP and 35:17 K:BB through 36.2 innings (eight starts) for Double-A Amarillo.
After Walston dominated in High-A to open the year, there was reason to expect more than this following his promotion in early May. The southpaw has given up 53 hits, including seven home runs, across those 36.2 frames since his promotion. That said, he's still a few days shy of his 21st birthday, and Walston struggled some after being promoted to High-A last year before coming back stronger in 2022, so he may just need some adjustment time.
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Diamondbacks' Blake Walston: Makes jump to Double-A
Rotowire
The Diamondbacks promoted Walston from High-A Hillsboro to Double-A Amarillo on Monday, Zach Buchanan of The Athletic reports.
Walston was rewarded with a quick promotion to Double-A after he turned in a 2.55 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 27:7 K:BB across 17.2 innings with Hillsboro. With a strong finish to the 2022 minor-league campaign, Walston could be given a chance to compete for a rotation spot with the Diamondbacks next spring.
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Diamondbacks' Blake Walston: Gets taxi squad nod
Rotowire
Walston will be on Arizona's taxi squad, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.
Walston is one of the best pitching prospects in the Diamondbacks' system, but he doesn't turn 19 until later this month and has not yet pitched above short-season ball. He had a 2.45 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 17:2 K:BB in 11 innings last year after Arizona selected him with the No. 26 overall pick in the draft.
