SCOTT MCGOUGH NEWS

Banished to MiLB camp The Diamondbacks reassigned McGough to minor-league camp Wednesday.

Impact Arizona declined McGough's $4 million team option for 2025 in November before bringing him back on a minor-league deal in February and allowing him to compete for an Opening Day roster spot. After turning in a 7.44 ERA over 26 appearances with the big club in 2024, McGough didn't do much this spring to demonstrate that his performance turned a corner, as he was lit up for six earned runs on 10 hits and two walks over 4.2 innings. The 35-year-old righty will likely open the season in the bullpen at Triple-A Reno.

MARCH 19 • ROTOWIRE

Back with Snakes McGough signed a minor-league contract with the Diamondbacks on Tuesday that includes an invitation to spring training.

Impact The Diamondbacks declined their half of McGough's $4 million mutual option earlier in the offseason, but they will ultimately retain the righty's services on a minor-league deal. The 35-year-old reliever struggled mightily in the big leagues last season, posting a 7.44 ERA and 1.68 WHIP across 32.2 innings. Barring a drastic turnaround in spring training, he'll likely fill in as bullpen depth for Triple-A Reno.

FEBRUARY 12 • ROTOWIRE

Hits open market The Diamondbacks declined McGough's $4 million mutual option on Saturday, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

Impact He receives a $750K buyout in the transaction. McGough logged a 5.59 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 111 innings over 103 innings in two seasons with Arizona. He was much more effective in 2023 than in 2024, as his K-BB% dropped from 18.6 percent to 2.7 percent and he moved back and forth between Triple-A and the majors this past season after spending all of 2023 in the big leagues.

NOVEMBER 5, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Hits open market The Diamondbacks declined McGough's $4 million mutual option on Saturday, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

Impact He receives a $750K buyout in the transaction. McGough logged a 5.59 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 111 strikeouts over 103 innings in two seasons with Arizona. He was much more effective in 2023 than in 2024, as his K-BB% dropped from 18.6 percent to 2.7 percent and he moved back and forth between Triple-A and the majors this past season after spending all of 2023 in the big leagues.

NOVEMBER 5, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Recalled from Reno The Diamondbacks recalled McGough from Triple-A Reno on Monday.

Impact McGough last appeared for the big club Aug. 10 against the Phillies, during which he pitched two scoreless innings while allowing one walk. The 34-year-old reliever has a 6.83 ERA and 1.62 WHIP across 29 major-league innings this season, but those numbers are down to a 3.22 ERA and 1.36 WHIP over 36.1 frames in Triple-A. McGough will bolster the Diamondbacks' bullpen for the upcoming road series against the Rockies.

SEPTEMBER 16, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Sent to Triple-A The Diamondbacks optioned McGough to Triple-A Reno on Sunday, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Impact The right-hander was called up by Arizona on Friday and will return to Reno after he delivered two scoreless frames during Saturday's contest. McGough has a 6.83 ERA, 1.62 WHIP and 20:19 K:BB across 29 major-league innings this year.

AUGUST 11, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

D-backs add RHP Scott McGough after RHP Slade Cecconi optioned The Arizona Diamondbacks recalled right-hander Scott McGough on Friday after right-hander Slade Cecconi was optioned to Triple-A Reno late T...

AUGUST 9, 2024 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Back in Arizona The Diamondbacks recalled McGough from Triple-A Reno on Friday.

Impact McGough owns a 7.33 ERA and 1.70 WHIP through 27 innings in the majors this season, though he's put up a 3.09 ERA across 11.2 frames since being optioned to Triple-A in late June. He'll now return to the big leagues to give the Diamondbacks a fresh bullpen arm, replacing Slade Cecconi.

AUGUST 9, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Back in majors The Diamondbacks recalled McGough from Triple-A Reno on Saturday.

Impact The Diamondbacks sent McGough to Reno in early May, and he has since recorded a 2.92 ERA and 1.57 WHIP across 12.1 innings for the Aces. He'll now return to Arizona to give the Snakes another fresh bullpen arm, replacing Humberto Castellanos.

JUNE 8, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Scott McGough, Torey Lovullo Deny Intent to Throw at Fernando Tatis Jr.'s Head The Padres star right-fielder and manager were upset after last night's game due to a high and tight pitch that sent Tatis sprawling to the...

MAY 4, 2024 • SI.COM

Coughs up lead McGough (0-3) was charged with the loss in Monday's game against the Rockies. He allowed three runs on two hits and two walks over two-thirds of an inning.

Impact McGough entered to start the sixth inning and walked the first batter, who came around to score the tying run. He was out of the game by the time Joe Mantiply allowed two inherited runners to score, which saddled McGough with a third loss in his last three outings. McGough has a 6.35 ERA and 1.59 WHIP over 5.2 innings.

APRIL 9, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Diamondbacks place RHP Scott McGough (shoulder) on IL The Arizona Diamondbacks placed right-hander Scott McGough on the 15-day injured list with inflammation in his pitching shoulder prior to Su...

SEPTEMBER 17, 2023 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Out with shoulder inflammation McGough was placed on the 15-day injured list Sunday with right shoulder inflammation, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

Impact McGough presumably picked up the injury during his last appearance Thursday, when the Mets tagged him for three earned runs over two-thirds of an inning. The veteran right-hander will be eligible to be activated during the final series of the regular season, but he's not guaranteed to be healthy by that point given that he's dealing with an arm issue.

SEPTEMBER 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Starting nightcap McGough will start the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against San Diego, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Impact Saturday will mark the first start of McGough's major-league career. He's put up a 4.76 ERA and 1.25 WHIP alongside a 69:24 K:BB through 56.2 innings on the season and will likely remain in the game for an inning or two before handing it off to the bullpen.

AUGUST 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Converts ninth save McGough struck out two without putting a runner on base to earn the save in Monday's 4-3 extra-innings win over the Giants.

Impact McGough uncorked a wild pitch that moved the initial runner to third base, but that was his only mistake. The save was his ninth of the year and his second in a row, but McGough's chances to close are likely to dry up following Arizona's trade for Paul Sewald. McGough has a 4.30 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 65:20 K:BB with 13 holds and four blown saves over 52.1 innings -- he should be able to maintain a setup role, and his strikeout upside could keep him on the fantasy radar in NL-only formats.

AUGUST 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Picks up save Saturday McGough earned a save against Seattle on Saturday, striking out the only batter he faced to close out the contest.

Impact Kevin Ginkel -- who had picked up each of Arizona's previous three saves -- was deployed in the eighth inning Saturday and was pulled with one out in the ninth despite retiring all four batters he faced. Arizona then turned to Andrew Chafin to close things out, but he allowed two of three hitters he saw to reach base, giving McGough the opportunity to close things out. The right-hander faced a tough test in Julio Rodriguez but managed to strike him out on the eighth pitch of the at-bat. This was a nice outing for McGough after he had allowed 11 runs over his previous 4.2 frames, but while there remains a closer committee of sorts in Arizona, Ginkel remains the favorite for saves and the best Diamondbacks reliever to roster from a fantasy perspective.

JULY 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Rough stretch continues McGough allowed four runs on four hits while striking out one over two-thirds of an inning in Wednesday's 11-7 loss to St. Louis.

Impact McGough hung a couple of splitters that turned into a pair of two-run home runs in the eighth inning. The Diamondbacks' offense showed life, coming back from a pair of small deficits during the game but did not have enough to overcome what McGough left them. The outing was fifth in the reliever's last six that he's allowed runs. The right-hander owns a 16.50 ERA during that span. McGough is one of several important bullpen arms that have contributed to Arizona's slide this month -- five wins, 14 losses since July 2.

JULY 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Walks two in save McGough walked two batters and struck out one in a scoreless and hitless inning to earn the save in Saturday's 3-1 win over the Angels.

Impact This was McGough's first appearance since his three-run meltdown in a blown save versus the Rays. He's allowed multiple baserunners in three straight outings, though he was able to navigate trouble Saturday. The 33-year-old is up to seven saves, 12 holds and four blown saves with a 2.93 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 51:16 K:BB through 43 innings this season.

JULY 2, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Melts down Wednesday McGough (0-6) took the loss and a blown save Wednesday versus the Rays, allowing three runs on four hits with one strikeout in one inning.

Impact McGough gave up three straight singles and a two-out double, allowing the Rays to rally for a 3-2 lead. Over his previous 15 appearances, McGough had allowed just one unearned run over 19 innings with a 27:6 K:BB, so this looks to simply be a bump in the road. The right-hander's up to four blown saves this year, but he also has six saves and 12 holds with a 3.00 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 50:14 K:BB over 42 innings. He's mostly been an effective late-inning option, providing stability in Arizona's bullpen, which ranks 21st in the majors with a 4.14 ERA from relievers.

JUNE 29, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Records four-out save McGough allowed three hits and two walks over 1.1 scoreless innings Sunday. He struck out two and earned a save against the Giants.

Impact McGough allowed an inherited runner to score in the eighth inning but still picked up his sixth save of the year despite the shaky outing. He's now thrown 22.1 frames since his last earned run allowed May 12. The 33-year-old has dropped his season ERA to 2.41 with a 49:14 K:BB through 36 appearances.

JUNE 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Notches two-out save McGough earned his fifth save in Thursday's 5-3 win over the Nationals by retiring both batters he faced. He struck out one.

Impact The right-hander picked up a two-out save Wednesday in Milwaukee and was called upon again Thursday after fellow reliever Joe Mantiply was unable to maintain Arizona's four-run advantage. McGough now has saves in each of his past three appearances, and he hasn't given up an earned run in his past 21 frames. Miguel Castro and Andrew Chafin lead the Diamondbacks with seven and eight saves, respectively, but McGough appears to have become the preferred option in the closing committee.

JUNE 22, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Dazzles in two-inning save McGough picked up the save Wednesday against Milwaukee. He struck out four over two perfect innings.

Impact McGough tallied two perfect innings Wednesday to collect his fourth save of the season while striking out four of the six batters he faced. The save was his third in the last 10 days as McGough extended his streak without an earned run to 20.1 innings (15 appearances). Though Miguel Castro and Andrew Chafin (ankle) still remain ahead of him for closing duties, McGough has proved to be one of the Diamondbacks' top arms out of the pen.

JUNE 22, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Earns third save McGough allowed a hit but didn't give up a run over two-thirds of an inning to earn the save in Saturday's 6-3 win over the Guardians.

Impact Kyle Nelson started the ninth inning in a non-save situation but put two runners on base. McGough allowed one of those runners to score but had no additional trouble finishing off the contest. With two saves in his last four appearances, McGough appears to be continuing his ascent up Arizona's leverage ladder. He's been charged with just one unearned run over his last 15 innings while posting a 20:4 K:BB in that span. For the season, the 33-year-old has a 2.68 ERA, 0.84 WHIP, 42:12 K:BB, two saves and 12 holds through 37 innings. Miguel Castro, who picked up the win Saturday, and Andrew Chafin remain the most likely candidates for saves.

JUNE 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Picks up second save McGough recorded the save in Sunday's 7-5 win over the Tigers, recording a strikeout in two-thirds of an inning.

Impact McGough entered in relief of Andrew Chafin with runners on the corners and one out. The right-hander would strike out Javier Baez before inducing a game-ending groundout from Nick Maton. The 33-year-old McGough has been spotless of late -- he's now gone 11.1 innings without allowing a run, allowing just two hits while striking out 17 in that span. His ERA is down to 2.97 with a 0.87 WHIP and 39:12 K:BB through 33.1 innings this season. With Miguel Castro struggling a bit of late, McGough could be in the mix for more closing opportunities in Arizona.

JUNE 11, 2023 • ROTOWIRE