D-backs Add Pitcher Elvin Rodriguez, Place Pavin Smith on 60-Day IL
The Arizona Diamondbacks have claimed right-handed pitcher Elvin Rodriguez off waivers from the Baltimore Orioles, the teams announced September 5, 2025. To create a 40-man roster spot, Arizona transferred first baseman/designated hitter pavin Smith to the 60-day injured list, ending his season. Smith had been on the 10-day IL since late August.
Rodriguez, 27, signed a split major league deal with the Milwaukee Brewers this past winter after two seasons (2023-24) pitching in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball.He appeared in 19 total innings for Milwaukee and Baltimore this season, posting a 9.15 ERA.He has pitched a combined 40 1/3 innings in Triple-A this year, with a 4.46 ERA,an 18.3% strikeout rate, and a 5.3% walk rate across both Norfolk and Nashville.
Rodriguez debuted in MLB with the Detroit Tigers in 2022 (29 2/3 innings) and also pitched briefly for the Tampa Bay Rays in 2023 (3 1/3 innings). He has allowed more than a run per inning in his 52 2/3 career major league frames, but boasts a 1.80 ERA in 45 innings pitched in Japan and a solid Triple-A track record. Rodriguez is in the second of three minor league option years, retaining one option year through the 2026 season.
Smith’s season concludes after a strong start hampered by a quad injury. He hit .270/.348/.547 in 158 plate appearances in 2024 and began 2025 with a .291/.347/.473 slash line through May in 174 plate appearances.His performance declined to.208/.310/.375 in 114 plate appearances since then.
over the past two seasons, Smith has a .262/.357/.475 slash line with 17 home runs in 446 plate appearances, performing 29% better than the league average as measured by wRC+. The left-handed hitter is a potential platoon option at first base or designated hitter. He was a former top-10 draft pick who previously hit .240/.319/.379 through his first 1094 MLB plate appearances from 2020-23.
