Clay

Zavada

Zavada was one of the later cuts in spring training, but he ended up not making the team and will now look to catch on elsewhere. The lefty pitched pretty well for the D’Backs in 2009 but hasn’t appeared in a major league game since.

He’ll also get an invite to spring training. Zavada last pitched in the majors with the Diamondbacks in 2009, posting a 3.35 ERA over 49 relief appearances. After missing the entire 2010 season following Tommy John surgery, the 27-year-old left-hander posted a 3.43 ERA and 46/21 K/BB ratio over 60 1/3 innings with Triple-A Reno last season.

Zavada was released by the Reds after he failed to make the team out of spring training. The 27-year-old southpaw last appeared in the majors in 2009, when he held a 3.35 ERA and 9.2 K/9 rate for the D’Backs. He could eventually be an option as a second lefty in the bullpen after J.C. Romero was released earlier this week.

The mustached one put up a 3.35 ERA over 49 relief appearances with the Diamondbacks in ’09, but started this season with Triple-A Reno, allowing 10 runs over three appearances (30.00 ERA). He’ll hope to contribute at some point next season.

Zavada had been pitching with the independent league Gary SouthShore RailCats, where he posted a 1.65 ERA. The left-hander hasn’t appeared in the majors since 2009.

He owns a 1-0 record, 2.60 ERA and 0.98 WHIP through 17 1/3 innings of relief work. Arizona is desperate for arms at the moment with plenty used during their doubleheader Wednesday and with Scott Schoeneweis leaving to deal with the death of his wife. This also means it’s like just a short-term stint for Zavada.

Zavada did not see action in his one day with the big club. His roster spot was needed for Wednesday night’s starter Bryan Augenstein.

The 24-year-old Zavada had a 2.51 ERA in 14 1/3 innings. He had a 17/5 K/BB ratio while giving up just eight hits. He figures to pitch out of the back of the bullpen for the moment.

Chad Qualls was placed on the 60-day disabled list Monday with a dislocated left kneecap, leaving the door open for Arizona’s other bullpen arms. “Initially, ‘Guti’ will probably see a few save opportunities,” Hinch said, “but I won’t name him the closer, nor will I hesitate to use him in the seventh or eighth if I have to, depending on where we are in the game.” Esmerling Vasquez, Clay Zavada and Daniel Schlereth could also see ninth-inning action.

“I actually had a really good curveball in college,” Zavada said. “I just got away from throwing it.” The 25-year-old southpaw gave up a .284 batting average against left-handed hitters last year. He held right-handers, conversely, to a .205 mark thanks to his “Bugs Bunny changeup.”