PHOENIX -- Matt Buschmann admitted there were times he doubted whether this day would ever come, which is understandable after you've spent 10 years and thrown 1,326 2/3 innings in the Minor Leagues without a promotion to the big leagues.
Late Thursday night, though, Buschmann got the news he had longed hoped for as the D-backs selected the right-hander's contract from Triple-A Reno and designated Kyle Drabek for assignment.
"It's awesome," Buschmann said. "The last 12 hours or so have been sort of surreal. I think I've been through every emotion you can possibly go through. It's been a long time. So it's like I'm going to take it all in, but at the same time, being 32 [years old] you want to put your head down and go to work."
Buschmann was a non-roster invitee to Spring Training, but he posted a 7.71 ERA over 2 1/3 frames in three Cactus League appearances. With the D-backs in need of help in the bullpen and unable to promote final roster cuts Evan Marshall and Enrique Burgos from Reno, because by rule a player has to stay in the Minors for 10 days after being optioned, Buschmann got his long-awaited chance.
"It's his opportunity, and when you get these opportunities, you never know what's going to happen," D-backs manager Chip Hale said.
Buschmann, who is married to ESPN SportsCenter anchor Sara Walsh, was the Padres' 15th round selection in the 2006 Draft. Including the D-backs, he has played for six organizations during his career.
The last three years were the toughest for Buschmann, who began to doubt whether this day would ever come.
"I always believed I could pitch in the big leagues, and I think you have to after 10 years to continue to ride buses," Buschmann said. "But reality sets in, you're married, you start to realize this is kind of a tough life. But I always said the day I felt like I couldn't compete at the big league level I'd be done, and I never felt like that."