Zach

Kroenke

He will not receive an invitation to spring training. Kroenke spent all of 2012 at Triple-A, posting a 5.67 ERA over 119 innings. He doesn’t have a bad arm but will be back at Triple-A to start next season.

Kroenke, 28, was released by the Diamondbacks as a six-year minor league free agent. He posted an underwhelming 5.67 ERA at the Triple-A level this season, but has an average fastball velocity of 91.1 mph. The Mariners, Royals, and Blue Jays have all been listed as possible landing spots.

There was some thought that the Nationals would select Kroenke and flip him back to the Yankees, but the Bombers wanted outfielder Jamie Hoffman instead. This is the second straight season that Kroenke was selected in the Rule 5 Draft, as he was chosen by the Marlins last December, only to be returned to the Yankees in March. The 25-year-old southpaw was 7-1 with a 1.99 ERA in 36 games (two starts) with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in 2009. He held lefties to a .196 batting average last season, so he could stick on as a left-handed specialist with the D’Backs.

The info on the near-deal, which will not include a spring training invite, was passed along by Kroenke’s agent, Joshua Kusnick. Kroenke posted a 4.51 ERA over 129 2/3 Triple-A frames this season and hasn’t appeared in the majors since 2011.

As a second-time Rule 5 pick, Kroenke had the right to declare free agency if he was claimed off waivers, so he remained untouched. Kroenke, who turns 26 in April, 1.99 ERA in 36 games (two starts) with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (Yankees) last season. He could arrive as a left-handed specialist this season.

Kevin Whelan and J. Brent Cox stay, but the Yankees did lose three pitchers. Kroenke is the best bet of the trio to depart. He had a 2.85 ERA and a 54/28 K/BB ratio in 53 2/3 innings last season, most of them coming in Double-A. He should have a very good chance of winning a spot in Florida’s pen.

Kroenke seemingly had a good chance to crack the Opening Day bullpen in Florida, but instead rejoins the Yankees while the Marlins get $25,000 back. He’ll likely begin this season at Triple-A.

Kroenke was a big disappointment out of the pen for Reno this season, but after moving into the rotation in late July, he had a 1.46 ERA in seven starts. Overall, he finished with a 3.51 ERA in 97 1/3 innings. The Diamondbacks could give him a spot start or two later this month, but he’ll likely pitch in relief for now.

The rookie southpaw gave up just two hits -- one of them a solo homer by Matt Kemp in the bottom of the fourth inning -- while fanning a pair and walking one. Kroenke, who was selected from the Yankees in last year’s Rule 5 Draft, really struggled as reliever with Triple-A Reno this season, but posted a miniscule 1.43 ERA over nine starts. Perhaps he can be more than just a left-handed specialist, after all.

Hudson was scheduled to pitch Friday, but lefty Zach Kroenke will start in his place. The injury is considered minor and he should be just fine for next season. The young right-hander went 7-1 with a 1.69 ERA and 70/16 K/BB ratio over 11 starts after coming over from the White Sox. He’s a pitcher to keep an eye on next season.