In a surprising move, the Arizona Diamondbacks have signed right-handed pitcher Anthony DeSclafani after he opted out of his minor league contract with the New York Yankees, as reported by the New York Post’s Joel Sherman on Thursday. The details of DeSclafani’s deal with Arizona—whether major or minor league—remain undisclosed, but the move comes at a critical time for the Diamondbacks, who are grappling with a significant blow to their rotation.
The Diamondbacks’ starting pitchers have struggled this season, posting a collective 4.48 ERA. The situation worsened with the news that Corbin Burnes, who signed a six-year, $210 million contract as a free agent this past offseason, will undergo Tommy John surgery, sidelining him for the foreseeable future. DeSclafani’s addition could provide much-needed stability to Arizona’s rotation as they aim to stay competitive in a tightly contested National League.
Anthony DeSclafani, who the Yankees recently took a minor league flyer on, has used an opt out and is going to the Diamondbacks.
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) June 12, 2025
The 35-year-old New Jersey native missed the entire 2024 season with the Minnesota Twins due to flexor tendon surgery on his right elbow. After signing a minor league deal with the Yankees in March, DeSclafani posted a 4.50 ERA over five starts, totaling 20 innings, for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. With no immediate openings in New York’s rotation and Marcus Stroman nearing a return from the injured list, DeSclafani opted to explore other opportunities, leading to his move to Arizona.
DeSclafani’s MLB journey began when the Toronto Blue Jays selected him in the sixth round of the 2011 MLB Draft. He was traded to the Miami Marlins in November 2012 and made his major league debut in 2014, posting a 6.27 ERA in 13 appearances. The following year, he was dealt to the Cincinnati Reds, where he spent six seasons, compiling a 4.19 ERA across 112 outings and 623 1/3 innings. In December 2020, DeSclafani signed a one-year deal with the San Francisco Giants, later securing a three-year, $36 million extension in November 2021. He remained with the Giants through 2023, recording a 3.99 ERA over 55 outings.
Traded to the Minnesota Twins in January 2024, DeSclafani was unable to pitch due to his elbow injury. Now, with a fresh start in Arizona, the veteran pitcher has a chance to bolster a rotation in desperate need of depth and experience. As the Diamondbacks push to remain in the playoff hunt, DeSclafani’s proven track record could prove to be a game-changer.