News Summary
In a strategic move as the season winds down, the Arizona Diamondbacks have designated right-hand reliever Jake Woodford for assignment due to his struggling performance. To fill the gap, they have called up promising right-hander Austin Pope from Triple-A Reno. This decision reflects the team’s aim to assess younger talent in their bullpen as they pursue a playoff spot, especially following Woodford’s troubling statistics this season. Pope’s performance in Triple-A shows potential, making this an important moment for the Diamondbacks as they navigate critical weeks ahead.
Arizona Diamondbacks Designate Jake Woodford for Assignment, Call Up Austin Pope from Triple-A Reno
The Arizona Diamondbacks are making significant bullpen adjustments as the 2025 regular season comes to a close. Right-hand reliever Jake Woodford has been designated for assignment, and in his place, the team has called up Austin Pope from Triple-A Reno. This move comes on the heels of Woodford’s recent struggles on the mound, as he has consistently faced challenges in his last few outings.
Woodford’s performance has deteriorated sharply, highlighted by his last three appearances where he surrendered 10 runs (nine earned) in just 3.1 innings, contributing to a troubling 12.15 ERA in September alone. Notably, during a decisive game against the Minnesota Twins, Woodford blew a save opportunity by allowing two runs without recording an out. His overall season stats reflect these difficulties, with a cumulative ERA of 6.44 across 22 appearances and 36.1 innings pitched. Furthermore, he has allowed a concerning .300 opponent batting average during the month of September.
In his final outing, Woodford allowed five runs (four earned) to the Philadelphia Phillies in just two innings. This marks the second veteran reliever designated for assignment by the Diamondbacks within the last week, indicating a shift towards evaluating younger talent as the team pushes for a postseason spot.
On the other hand, Austin Pope is a promising right-hander who will be stepping up to fill Woodford’s role. The 26-year-old was drafted in the 15th round of the 2019 Draft and began the 2025 season on the Injured List. After a lengthy rehab, he returned to action in Triple-A Reno on July 1. Since his return, Pope has shown improvement, posting a 4.60 ERA over 25 appearances and 29.1 innings, achieving 34 strikeouts against 10 walks.
Pope’s call-up is part of a broader trend within the Diamondbacks’ bullpen, which is increasingly featuring younger and less experienced players. Should Pope make his major league debut, he will be the 42nd pitcher to appear for the Diamondbacks this season, breaking the franchise record of 41 set back in 2021.
The Diamondbacks are currently in the playoff hunt, trailing the New York Mets by 1.5 games for the third National League Wild Card spot. As they navigate the final weeks of the season, the decisions made in the bullpen could have significant implications for their postseason aspirations.
With Woodford’s future with the organization now uncertain, the team may consider retaining him at the minor league level if they see potential for redemption. The Diamondbacks are clearly in a transition phase, seeking to balance experience with the infusion of new talent as they prepare for what they hope will be a competitive finish to the season.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- SI.com: Diamondbacks Designate Woodford
- Wikipedia: Arizona Diamondbacks
- Burn City Sports: Diamondbacks Bullpen Struggles
- Google Search: Diamondbacks Bullpen News
- Inquirer: Phillies vs. Diamondbacks Recap
- Google Scholar: Arizona Diamondbacks 2025
- AZ Central: Diamondbacks vs. Twins Updates
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Baseball
- AZ Central: Diamondbacks vs. Rangers Updates
- Google News: Arizona Diamondbacks
Author: STAFF HERE PHOENIX WRITER
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