Pfaadt optioned to Triple-A; Strowd, Abner joining D-backs

The D-backs are shuffling their pitching staff.

The club is optioning right-hander Brandon Pfaadt to Triple-A Reno and calling up righty Kade Strowd and left-hander Philip Abner. Arizona is also placing right-hander Taylor Clarke on the bereavement/family medical emergency list.

Pfaadt began this season in the rotation but was moved to the bullpen after three starts and has logged a 5.92 ERA across 38 innings (13 appearances). He allowed two runs on three hits during his one inning of work in Arizona’s 7-0 loss to the Dodgers on Wednesday.

After breaking into the big leagues in 2023, Pfaadt became a postseason star that October during Arizona’s run to the World Series. He pitched 4 1/3 scoreless innings in the D-backs’ series-clinching victory over the Dodgers in NLDS Game 3. He then tossed 5 2/3 scoreless frames in the team’s NLCS Game 6 win over the Phillies. The 27-year-old has had trouble duplicating that success. From 2024-25, he recorded a 4.97 ERA (85 ERA+) over 358 1/3 innings.

Strowd, 28, was acquired via trade from Baltimore during the offseason. He has a 4.95 ERA through 20 appearances out of the Aces’ bullpen this year. The 24-year-old Abner has made one appearance for Arizona this season, pitching 2 1/3 innings during a loss to Milwaukee on April 30. He has a 5.12 ERA across 19 appearances at Triple-A.