The Diamondbacks added to their bullpen Thursday, signing free-agent right-hander Taylor Clarke to a one-year, $1.5 million deal with incentives that could lift it to just over $2 million.
Clarke, 32, was originally drafted by the Diamondbacks in the third round in 2015 and appeared in 78 games (20 starts) from 2019-21 before Arizona non-tendered him in November 2021.
Clarke then signed with the Royals and pitched three seasons for Kansas City, appearing in 156 games (two starts).
Last season, Clarke made 51 appearances and was 1-1 with a 3.25 ERA while holding opponents to a .194 batting average. He was one of two pitchers in the big leagues last season to post 50 or more appearances and allow nine or fewer total walks.
Arizona will look to him to provide length in the bullpen.
“Obviously, we know the makeup and have a long history with him, so it was a good fit for us,” Diamondbacks GM Mike Hazen said.
Improving the bullpen was something Arizona hoped to do this offseason. To date, the club has added Jonathan Loáisiga and Clarke. Hazen said there is still more work to be done before pitchers and catchers hold their first workout Feb. 10.
Hazen acknowledged that the bullpen might have more of an unproven look at the start of the season before co-closers Justin Martinez and A.J. Puk return from Tommy John surgery, but the team hopes some of its younger pitchers take a step forward in their development.
Whether that’s Juan Burgos, Andrew Hoffmann, Drey Jameson, Brandyn Garcia or someone else remains to be seen.
“We have a lot of talent that’s out there,” Hazen said. “We obviously have to improve on that talent both externally and with the guys that we have here in terms of them stepping up and fitting into some of those roles. There will still continue to be additions made to the ‘pen from here until Spring Training.”
