The Arizona Diamondbacks have selected right-handed pitcher Jarrod Parker from the minor leagues and designated Tommy Manzella for assignment, according to an official D-Backs press release.
Parker had the dreaded Tommy John surgery in 2009 and sat out the 2010 season, but had a huge bounce back season in 2001 (3.79 ERA, .236 opponents hitting average). Although he had some early struggles with the Double-A Mobile BayBears, he rebounded strong.
Diamondbacks manager Kirk Gibson is uncertain about his role quite yet.
"We'll get him acclimated to our system, our routine, weight room, training room. He'll be out with the (relief) pitchers, they go out early every day. Just kind of take it all in. We'll see if we give him a couple of innings here or there."
With the D-Backs rotation set for the playoffs, he has the potential to get some warmup innings out of the bullpen to prepare for the upcoming season. It's uncertain what situation he might come in for, but you'd have to guess Gibson would only put Parker out there in games that are either blowouts or on the verge of becoming blowouts, particularly on the losing side. You'd have to guess that Arizona fans would be stoked to see him pitch (they've been waiting for him since 2007!), but his more meaningful moments will be down the line in future seasons.
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