The Diamondbacks have inked a minor league deal with right-handed pitcher Chris Ellis, as announced by the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League, who had initially intended him to pitch for them. Ellis, 31, was one of two players signed from the Ducks today, with veteran right-hander Dan Straily joining the Cubs on a similar deal.
Originally drafted in the third round by the Angels from Ole Miss, Ellis was later traded to the Braves in the Andrelton Simmons deal, then moved to the Cardinals as part of the package for Jaime García. Despite reaching Triple-A in the Cardinals organization, he hasn’t seen extensive Major League action.
His big league debut was with a single appearance for the Royals in 2019. He got a longer look two years later, pitching 29 1/3 innings between the Rays and Orioles with a 2.15 ERA, though his strikeout rate was below average at 19.6% and his walk percentage elevated at 11.6%. In the following year, he started two games for the Orioles but underwent season-ending shoulder surgery afterward and was removed from the roster.
After sitting out the entire 2023 season, Ellis seems healthy again and is expected to provide rotation depth for the Diamondbacks’ Triple-A team in Reno as a non-roster player. The Diamondbacks’ rotation has suffered recent setbacks, with Eduardo Rodriguez out until at least late May due to a lat injury sustained in Spring Training, Ryne Nelson sidelined for a few weeks by a comebacker, and Merrill Kelly facing an extended absence due to a shoulder strain, which has pushed Tommy Henry and Slade Cecconi into the starting rotation alongside Zac Gallen, Jordan Montgomery, and Brandon Pfaadt.
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