Arizona

Diamondbacks

Rashi is merely a depth addition for Minnesota after being removed from Arizona’s roster last week. The 30-year-old has posted a serviceable 5.40 ERA across 20 innings in the majors over the last two seasons. It’s worth noting that he’s compiled some impressive numbers at the Triple-A level in recent years, but that success hasn’t translated into a permanent role at the highest level.

Kepler is still serving an 80-game PED suspension announced in January, so he goes on the restricted list for now. The Diamondbacks will have him go on a rehab assignment in the minors and then decide whether they want him to be a part of their outfield. With Jordan Lawlar and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. getting healthy and Ryan Waldschmidt and Tommy Troy still candidates to step up, ideally, they wouldn’t need Kepler at all. But, then, if they thought that would be the case, they probably wouldn’t have made the signing. Kepler hit .216/.300/.391 in 127 games for the Phillies last season, and if he was cheating then, it didn’t seem to do him much good. He doesn’t offer as much defensive value as he used to, either. Maybe he’ll surprise, but he seems like a weak platoon option at the moment.

Soroka allowed three hits, walked two and struck out six for his eighth win. In 13 starts, he’s given up eight runs once, four runs twice and never more than two runs otherwise. That he’s become more of a flyball pitcher while throwing fewer sinkers should have resulted in him giving up more homers, but he’s allowed just five on 17 barrels so far. He’ll take a 3.28 ERA into his next start in Cincinnati.

Moreno is hitting .309 with three homers, 12 RBI, 13 runs scored, three steals and nine walks in his last 19 games. He has a good case for being viewed as a top-10 fantasy catcher while healthy.

He grounded out in his only at-bat. Vargas hasn’t started a game since his nasty collision with Max Muncy on Thursday, but he has come off the bench in three straight games. It seems likely that he’ll be in the Arizona lineup on Tuesday after the off day Monday.

Vargas is still feeling the effects of his collision with Max Muncy on Thursday evening. He has appeared as a defensive replacement over the weekend, so he appears to be nearing a return to the lineup. LuJames Groover will start in his place at first base and bat eighth for the Diamondbacks against Cade Cavalli and the Nationals on Sunday.

Abner joined the Diamondbacks’ bullpen on Thursday when Taylor Clarke went on the bereavement list and now will head right back to Triple-A with Clarke returning. The 24-year-old southpaw has surrendered seven runs on six hits in 3 2/3 innings with the Diamondbacks this season, good for a cringe-inducing 17.18 ERA and 2.18 WHIP.

The 33-year-old hurler rejoins the Diamondbacks’ bullpen after being away for a few days. He has been outstanding over 28 appearances this season, posting a brilliant 1.73 ERA, 0.73 WHIP and a 13/4 K/BB ratio over 26 innings of work. Phillip Abner was optioned to Triple-A Reno in a corresponding move on Sunday.

Owner of quite possibly the coolest name in the league, the recently promoted Groover drove in the first run of his career with a fifth inning single. At the time, that cut the Nationals lead to 2-1 before Eduardo Rodriguez and the Diamondbacks’ bullpen let this one get out of hand. Along with that single, Groover had two batted balls hit harder than 100 mph and has now started consecutive games at first base after Ildemaro Vargas went on the injured list, but be advised that each came against a left-handed starting pitcher. More of a contact over power player who showed great plate discipline at Triple-A, Groover could find his way into deep league relevance should he hold onto an everyday role.

Things did not start out well for Rodriguez when Curtis Mead socked a two-run homer as the second batter of the game. Then, after cruising in the middle innings, he gave up two more runs when the Diamondbacks tried to push him through the seventh. Still, his changeup and curveball were each highly effective as they’ve been for most of his resurgent season. He’ll take a 2.52 ERA into his next scheduled start against the Reds in Cincinnati.