Diamondbacks Tap DeSclafani for First Start in Two Years

After nearly two years, **Anthony DeSclafani** is set to make his first start for the Arizona Diamondbacks this Sunday against the Kansas City Royals, marking a significant return to the pitching rotation.

Return to the Mound

**DeSclafani**, 35, signed with the Diamondbacks on June 15 and has since made four appearances as a long reliever. His upcoming start offers a chance to stretch his arm, with the team planning for him to throw 70-75 pitches.

This season, across 9.1 innings in relief, **DeSclafani** holds a 4.82 ERA with nine strikeouts and two walks, having surrendered five earned runs and three home runs.

Strategic Rotation

Diamondbacks manager **Torey Lovullo** said Friday the decision to start **DeSclafani** aims to provide the regular rotation an extra day of rest amid a demanding stretch of 17 games in 17 days.

Looking Back

The last time **Anthony DeSclafani** started a game was on July 23, 2023, while pitching for the San Francisco Giants. After that, he joined the Minnesota Twins organization in 2024 but did not pitch due to a right elbow strain requiring flexor tendon surgery.

Before joining Arizona, **DeSclafani** pitched for the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, the New York Yankees’ Triple-A affiliate, making five starts.

During those five Triple-A starts, he posted a 4.50 ERA and 1.65 WHIP, with opponents hitting .300 against him over 20 innings. Interestingly, the average MLB fastball velocity in 2023 was 93.5 mph, a key stat for pitchers like **DeSclafani** (Statista).

Career Overview

**DeSclafani**’s extensive major league experience includes stints with Miami (2014) and Cincinnati (2015-20), accumulating 180 games.

Tune in to the Diamondbacks-Royals game at 1:10 p.m. Sunday on 98.7 or the Arizona Sports app.