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New Snake Demel Sheds His Skin

Sound the alarms and sirens in the Diamondbacks’ bullpen … a new fireman has arrived.

Just how desperate are the Diamondbacks for something better than what they have in the bullpen? Enough to call up a young pitcher they just traded for Tuesday.

The club announced this afternoon that it has selected right-hander Sam Demel from Triple-A Reno, and optioned struggling Cesar Valdez to the Biggest Little City in the World.

Demel, a former third round pick of the Oakland A’s who was acquired in exchange for Conor Jackson, is set to make his major-league debut with the D-backs. The 24-year-old Texan has never pitched above Triple-A.

Demel, 24, was 2-0 with a 1.26 ERA with six saves and 28 strikeouts in 22 relief appearances for Sacramento, the A’s Triple-A club. Demel held opponents scoreless in 16 of his 22 games with the River Cats, including eight consecutive outings from May 17-June 4, a span of nine innings.

Valdez could not take advantage of his chance, sent down with a 7.65 ERA and a .337 opponents average with 10 walks and 13 strikeouts in nine games (two starts) for the D-backs.

It’s clear that times are quite desperate. Demel replaces another pitcher who made his big-league debut in Valdez as the Diamondbacks keep searching for relief corp help.