Pfaadt (0-3) took the loss Thursday, allowing six runs on seven hits and two walks over two-plus innings against the Rays. He struck out three.

EDGE Analysis

Recalled to make his first start since May 26, Pfaadt struggled against a powerful Tampa Bay offense, surrendering five of his runs in the third inning without recording an out. The rookie right-hander now has an unsightly 9.82 ERA and 1.87 WHIP with a 21:10 K:BB through six big-league starts (25.2 innings). Pfaadt had shown promise at the Triple-A level, but he doesn't appear ready to face major-league lineups yet.

Arizona recalled Pfaadt from Triple-A Reno ahead of his scheduled start Thursday against the Rays.

EDGE Analysis

As expected, Pfaadt is back in the Diamondbacks' rotation as a replacement for Merrill Kelly, who went on the injured list earlier this week due to a blood clot in his right calf. There is no timetable for Kelly's return, so Pfaadt should have an extended chance to strut his stuff and perhaps rebound from his poor five-start introduction to the majors in May. The talented 24-year-old has worked to a promising 3.16 ERA and 28:5 K:BB across 25.2 innings (five starts) with Reno since his May 27 demotion and is worth another look in most fantasy formats.

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo confirmed Wednesday that Pfaadt will be called up to start Thursday against the Rays.

EDGE Analysis

Tampa Bay represents a tough initial assignment for the 24-year-old top prospect as he returns to the major-league rotation, but it's looking like he might be in for an extended stay with Merrill Kelly (calf) battling a blood clot. Pfaadt has posted an encouraging 3.16 ERA and 28:5 K:BB in 25.2 innings (five starts) with Triple-A Reno since being optioned back to the minors in late May. He struggled to an 8.37 ERA across his first five major-league starts earlier this year but seemingly has the goods to take full advantage of his second big-league stint.

Pfaadt could join the Diamondbacks' rotation Thursday versus the Rays, Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Pfaadt has met up with the team in Arizona and is the likely replacement for Merrill Kelly, who landed on the injured list Tuesday due to a blood clot in his right calf. Pfaadt struggled in his first taste of major-league action back in May, but he's registered a promising 3.16 ERA and 28:5 K:BB in 25.2 innings (five starts) since returning to Triple-A Reno at the beginning of June. Displaying improved command on the farm, the 24-year-old top prospect would be worth another look in most fantasy formats should he get an extended opportunity in the bigs.

Pfaadt is a potential option to help fix the back end of Arizona's rotation, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Arizona GM Mike Hazen discussed potential options to help the rotation, which, outside of Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly, had a 6.18 ERA over 43 starts heading into Tuesday's loss to the Brewers. The GM noted external options are not likely at this time, as there aren't many sellers given the number of teams still in the mix for the postseason, which turned the focus of the conversation to Triple-A Reno. Pfaadt has made four starts for Aces since a five-start introduction to MLB during May. "His velocity has been good, strike-throwing good, throwing to top of zone well," Hazen said. "He's done a good job. I think with the amount of strikes he throws, he's going to get clipped (for homers) in those environments and probably in the major leagues some." Pfaadt has a 3.86 ERA with 21 strikeouts, five walks and four home runs over his four starts (18.2 innings) at Reno. He allowed three solo homers in his most recent start.

The Diamondbacks will work with Pfaadt in the minors to correct the issues they spotted during the pitcher's five-start run in the majors, Theo Mackie of the Arizona Republic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Pfaadt was sent back to the minors Saturday after posting an 8.37 ERA over 23.2 innings. Command was the number one issue that haunted Pfaadt in the majors. He didn't miss many bats, gave up too much loud contact and was in the 15th percentile in strikeout percentage (16.8). The club identified a mechanical issue that consisted of Pfaadt transferring his weight too early, causing his arm slot to drop, which led to wavering command. Additionally, the right-hander had heavy usage of his fastball. "I don't know of anybody that lives at 65% fastball rate and is a starting pitcher and gets away with it for six or seven innings," manager Torey Lovullo said. The Diamondbacks viewed that fastball usage as a red flag, but he could get away with it in the minors. Not in the majors, however, where patient hitters waited for fastballs over the middle of the plate. Pfaadt will likely need to correct the mechanical issue and introduce all his pitches if he's going to reach his potential.

Pfaadt was optioned to Triple-A Reno on Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

Pfaadt was one of the games' more hyped pitching prospects over the offseason, but things haven't gone to plan through his first five big-league starts, as his 8.37 ERA indicates. After posting a 31.2 percent strikeout rate in the upper minors over the last two seasons, his strikeout rate dipped to 16.8 percent upon promotion, and he also allowed eight homers in 23.2 innings. Zach Davies returns from an oblique injury to take Pfaadt's spot in the rotation, and the rookie may have to show some improvement in the minors across multiple starts before returning to consideration.

Pfaadt does not have a locker in the Diamondbacks' clubhouse, which likely means he's been optioned, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

EDGE Analysis

It would seem several roster moves are imminent. Zach Davies (oblique) is set to return from the injured list and Drey Jameson is said to be with the team, presumably to provide bullpen depth after Pfaadt only went 3.2 innings in Friday's loss. The future is bright for Pfaadt, but he's struggled to keep in the yard in his first cup of coffee, resulting in an 8.37 ERA through five starts.

Pfaadt (0-2) allowed five runs on eight hits and struck out four over 3.2 innings to take the loss Friday versus the Red Sox.

EDGE Analysis

There's only one silver lining here -- Pfaadt didn't walk a batter for the first time in five starts. The Red Sox got to him for three runs in the second inning, and Enrique Hernandez added a two-run home run in the fourth. Pfaadt has given up five or more runs in three of his outings, and this was his shortest start yet. The 24-year-old right-hander is now at an 8.37 ERA, 1.65 WHIP and 18:8 K:BB through 23.2 innings. Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic suggests this could put Pfaadt's spot in the rotation in jeopardy, and that makes sense with Zach Davies (oblique) nearing a return. If Pfaadt gets another start, it would likely come at home versus the Rockies next week.

Pfaadt did not factor into the decision Saturday, allowing three runs on six hits and two walks over 5.1 innings against Pittsburgh. He struck out three.

EDGE Analysis

Pfaadt made it through his fourth big league start relatively unscathed, with all three earned runs coming on one swing of the bat by Ke'Bryan Hayes, who drilled a bases-loaded triple in the third inning. After giving up 13 runs and six homers over his first two appearances (9.2 innings) Pfaadt has bounced back with four earned runs and one homer allowed over his last two starts (10.1 innings). After touting 218 strikeouts in 167 innings of minor-league ball in 2022, fantasy managers who took a shot on the highly ranked prospect have yet to reap any real benefits in that department considering Pfaadt's measly 14:8 K/BB and 7.56 ERA through 20 innings of big league work. Though it's unclear if Pfaadt will make another trip around the Arizona rotation, he remains no more than a dart-throw streaming option for those willing to take another chance on the rookie's strikeout upside and prospect pedigree.