Blake Walston - MLB News, Rumors, & Updates | FOX Sports

Optioned to Triple-A The Diamondbacks optioned Walston to Triple-A Reno on Thursday.

Impact Since rejoining the D-backs' bullpen Sept. 15, Walston has surrendered eight runs (five earned) over just 5.2 innings while striking out seven batters and walking one. He and Yilber Diaz will end up as Arizona's roster casualties following the activation of Ryne Nelson (shoulder) and promotion of Alek Thomas, and the 23-year-old Walston likely won't make it back to the majors during the final series of the season this weekend.

SEPTEMBER 26 • ROTOWIRE

Promoted Sunday The Diamondbacks recalled Walston from Triple-A Reno on Sunday.

Impact The left-hander was activated from the injured list in mid-August after missing two months due to an elbow issue, but he was immediately sent to Triple-A. Walston has started in two of his three appearances with Arizona this season, but he's likely to work in a long-relief role this time around.

SEPTEMBER 15 • ROTOWIRE

Reinstated off IL, optioned to Reno The Diamondbacks reinstated Walston (elbow) from the 15-day injured list and optioned him to Triple-A Reno on Monday.

Impact With Eduardo Rodriguez and Merrill Kelly both returning from the IL, the Diamondbacks don't have an open spot on the rotation for Walston. For now, Walston will head down to Triple-A, but the 23-year-old southpaw should make his way back to the big club either as part of the rotation or in the bullpen. Prior to landing on the IL on June 6 due to left elbow inflammation, Walston registered a 2.84 ERA and 1.42 WHIP across 12.2 innings in three major-league appearances (two starts).

AUGUST 12 • ROTOWIRE

Makes first rehab start Walston (elbow) struck out five and allowed two hits and no walks over 3.2 innings in a rehab start for Triple-A Reno on Sunday.

Impact According to Jesse Friedman of GoPHNX.com, manager Torey Lovullo had previously said July 26 that the Diamondbacks were undecided on what Walston's role might look like upon the left-hander's return from the 15-day injured list, but Walston's usage Sunday implies that he'll be built back up as a starter. With Eduardo Rodriguez and Merrill Kelly both beating him back from the IL, the Diamondbacks don't have a rotation spot available for Walston at the moment, though the complexion of Arizona's pitching staff could change by the time Walston is ready for activation. Walston posted a 2.84 ERA and 11:9 K:BB across 12.2 innings in three outings (two starts) for Arizona before landing on the IL on June 6 with a left elbow strain.

AUGUST 11 • ROTOWIRE

Faces hitters Walston (elbow) threw live batting practice Friday, Jesse Friedman of GoPHNX.com reports.

Impact Walston touched 94 miles per hour during the session, a very encouraging sign considering he hovered between 91 and 92 miles per hour during his three appearances this season. The 23-year-old southpaw is expected to be activated from the injured list sometime in August but may not have a spot on the 26-man roster. It's unclear how far along Walston is in being stretched out for a starter's workload.

JULY 26 • ROTOWIRE

Faces hitters Walston (elbow) threw live batting practice Friday, Jesse Friedman of GoPHNX.com reports.

Impact Walston touched 94 mph during the session, an encouraging sign considering he hovered between 91 and 92 mph during his three appearances this season. The 23-year-old southpaw is expected to be activated from the injured list sometime in August, but manager Torey Lovullo indicated Friday that the team was still determining whether he'll be an option for the big-league rotation down the stretch.

JULY 26 • ROTOWIRE

Trending toward August return Walston (elbow) isn't expected to return from the 15-day injured list until sometime in August, Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic reports.

Impact After turning in a 2.84 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 11:9 K:BB in 12.2 innings through his first three big-league outings (two starts), Walston was placed on the 15-day injured list June 6. His injury was initially classified as left elbow inflammation, but the Diamondbacks have since listed him with a left elbow strain, according to MLB.com. While Walston has resumed throwing off flat ground from 60 to 100 feet, the Diamondbacks haven't yet indicated that he's been cleared for bullpen sessions, so he still looks to be several weeks away from being stretched back out for a starter's workload. All of Jordan Montgomery (knee), Eduardo Rodriguez (lat) and Merrill Kelly (shoulder) are further along in their throwing progressions and appear poised to beat Walston back from the injured list, so the 22-year-old southpaw will most likely be optioned to Triple-A Reno once he's activated.

JULY 14 • ROTOWIRE

Rewarded with another start Walston is slated to start Saturday's game against the Mets at Citi Field.

Impact Walston will stick around as the fifth member of Arizona's rotation after he blanked the Marlins over 4.2 innings while striking out four in his first MLB start Sunday. Though the 23-year-old southpaw came through with a passable showing in his first start, fantasy managers should tread carefully with Walston, who has struggled to keep his walks in check at nearly every rung of the minors. Though he issued just one free pass against Miami, Walston walked four batters in his MLB debut May 1, when he tossed 3.2 innings of long relief against the Dodgers.

MAY 30 • ROTOWIRE

Likely to start Sunday Walston has a locker in the Diamondbacks' clubhouse, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Impact The Diamondbacks haven't officially announced a starting pitcher for Sunday's game against the Marlins, and Walston having a spot in Arizona's locker room is a good indication that he may get the nod to start the final game of the series. The 22-year-old southpaw allowed two earned runs in 3.2 innings during his MLB debut May 1, and he has since posted a 4.20 ERA and 1.40 WHIP across three appearances since being sent back down to Triple-A.

MAY 25 • ROTOWIRE

Recalled to majors Walston has been recalled from Triple-A Reno on Wednesday.

Impact Walston didn't make the cut for Arizona's Opening Day roster, but he will get a chance to play with the team after five years in the minors. The lefty pitcher has logged a 4.79 ERA and 1.88 WHIP over 20.2 innings in five games played with the Reno Aces so far this year. The 22-year-old thirsty for his major league debut should get a chance to prove himself in the coming days with the Diamondbacks with three of their starting pitchers currently on the injured list.

MAY 1 • ROTOWIRE

Sent to Triple-A The Diamondbacks optioned Walston to Triple-A Reno on Monday.

Impact Walston was dispatched to minor-league camp along with right-handers Slade Cecconi and Corbin Martin after all three pitchers fell short in their bids for spots on Arizona's Opening Day roster. Unlike Cecconi and Martin, Walston has yet to make his MLB debut, but the Diamondbacks saw enough potential in him to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft this winter and add him to their 40-man roster. The 22-year-old southpaw will be returning to Reno, where he posted a 4.52 ERA and 1.57 WHIP over 149.1 innings while pitching mostly in hitter-friendly venues in the Pacific Coast League.

MARCH 18 • ROTOWIRE