The Arizona Diamondbacks host the Kansas City Royals in a 3-game series beginning Monday night. Follow our updates on the series at Chase Field.
The Diamondbacks optioned Drey Jameson to Triple-A Reno ahead of their series opener against the Royals.
Left-hander Tommy Henry was already in line to be promoted Monday. Henry is starting the opener in what had been Madison Bumgarner’s spot in the rotation before the veteran was designated for assignment last week. However, the move to option Jameson comes as a surprise.
The 25-year-old rookie had been effective out of the bullpen before moving into the rotation when Zach Davies went down with a left oblique strain. He was effective in his first start but struggled in each of his past two. He was unable to locate his fastball and struggled to get swings and misses with his slider, which is considered his best pitch. In Sunday’s loss to the Padres, he was removed after the first inning, having allowed three runs on three hits and three walks.
In theory, the Diamondbacks could go with a four-man rotation for the next two weeks. They have three off days between now and May 4. The next time they will need a fifth starter is May 9 against the Marlins. However, they could also opt to call up Brandon Pfaadt, their top pitching prospect, from Reno. Pfaadt has a 3.54 ERA with 25 strikeouts in 20 1/3 innings.
Tommy Henry scheduled to start for Diamondbacks on Monday
At Chase Field, 6:40 pm, Diamondbacks LHP Tommy Henry (1-0, 6.33) vs. Royals RHP Brad Keller (2-2, 3.00).
TV/Radio: Bally Sports Arizona/KMVP-FM (98.7), KHOV-FM (105.1)
Henry was brought up from Triple-A Reno to move into Madison Bumgarner’s vacated rotation spot, which was open after Bumgarner was recently designated for assignment. Henry, a 25-year-old left-hander, went 3-4 with a 5.36 ERA in nine starts for the Diamondbacks last season. Keller is 37-51 in his career but is to face Arizona for the first time.
—Jose M. Romero
More: Arizona Diamondbacks’ upcoming schedule provides a golden opportunity after a brutal start
The Diamondbacks open a three-game series against the Kansas City Royals on Monday. The two teams played each other four times last season with Arizona winning three of the four, including both at home. Kansas City is off to a miserable start in 2023, 5-17 entering the series, but four of those wins came on the road. Not much is expected competitively from the Royals this season, but they have some promising young talent and one of the game’s top catchers in Salvador Perez. First baseman Vinnie Pasquantino is off to a hot start with a .874 OPS. On the pitching side, only Kris Bubic has been effective so far this year, but he will have to undergo Tommy John surgery and miss the rest of the season.
—Jose M. Romero
More: Without his best pitch, Drey Jameson struggles as Diamondbacks fall to Padres
Who else is pitching in Diamondbacks vs. Royals series?
Tuesday: At Chase Field, 6:40 pm, Diamondbacks RHP Ryne Nelson (1-0, 4.91) vs. Royals RHP Brady Singer (1-2, 8.14).
TV/Radio: Bally Sports Arizona Plus/KTAR-AM (620), KHOV-FM (105.1)
Nelson struggled against the Padres on Thursday, allowing five runs in five innings. He only allowed three hits, but all of them were loud contact. Two were doubles, one was a home run. He also walked three and only struck out four. … Nelson has struggled to miss bats, striking out just 14 batters in 22 innings across his first four starts. His whiff rate is in the 31st percentile league-wide. … Singer was excellent last year, with a 3.23 ERA, but has struggled early on this year. … Over his last three starts, he has allowed 18 runs on 24 hits in 16 innings. He went five innings and allowed five runs last time out against Texas.
Wednesday: At Chase Field, 12:40 pm, Diamondbacks RHP Zac Gallen (3-1, 2.59) vs. Royals TBD.
Thursday: Off
Friday: At Coors Field, 5:40 pm, Diamondbacks RHP Merrill Kelly (1-3, 3.42) vs. Rockies LHP Kyle Freeland (2-2, 4.28).
Saturday: At Coors Field, 5:10 pm, Diamondbacks TBD vs. Rockies RHP José Ureña (0-4, 9.82).
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona Diamondbacks daily: Drey Jameson optioned to minor leagues