The Arizona Diamondbacks are making another pitching roster move, ahead of their Monday night series-opening matchup with the Chicago Cubs at Chase Field.
After what turned into yet another inefficient, ineffective outing in Sunday's comeback win over the Reds , rookie left-hand starting pitcher Mitch Bratt has been sent down to Triple-A Reno.
To take Bratt's place on the roster, right-handed reliever Juan Burgos has been recalled. Arizona will not need a new starting pitcher to take Bratt's place for several days.
Jul 20, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Mitch Bratt (60) throws in the first inning against the Athletics at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Bratt, 23, has had a mixed bag in 2026. Though he's turned in a couple of stellar performances, he's struggled to provide consistency in terms of both length and results. He has a 4.54 ERA on the season.
Bratt's most recent start lasted just three innings, as he allowed three runs on five hits and three walks. The walk problem has been Bratt's most glaring flaw. The left-hander has issued 25 free passes in just 39.2 innings while striking out only 28.
Known as a command-control arm without much power (sitting 89-92 MPH on his fastball), Bratt's effectiveness will hinge on his ability to stay on the edges of the zone, which he has yet to be able to do for a consistent stretch in the major leagues.
The southpaw certainly has time to make those improvements on a personal level, but the Diamondbacks' rotation needs results in the immediate future .
They have already lost Michael Soroka to the IL for the second time this year, and the potential return of Ryne Nelson , Corbin Burnes and Zac Gallen do not guarantee production. It is unclear which direction Arizona will pivot to fill both Soroka's and Bratt's spots in the rotation, though fellow lefty Kohl Drake and rookie right-hander Jose Cabrera are two of the more likely options.
Jun 26, 2026; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Juan Burgos (52) delivers a pitch during the seventh inning against Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Pablo Robles-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Burgos has been up and down twice already so far this season. The right-hander has not had much run in the major leagues since coming over to Arizona in the Eugenio Suarez trade with the Seattle Mariners .
The 26-year-old righty has only appeared in two games for the Diamondbacks this year, providing 2.2 innings of coverage and allowing one run on three hits. That adds up to a 3.38 ERA, though his sample size is too small to take that number seriously yet.
Burgos has pitched to a 6.86 ERA in Triple-A this season, and has allowed seven runs on 10 hits in his past five appearances in the month of August. Even considering the offense-heavy environment of the Pacific Coast League, that number is well below average.
This article was originally published on www.si.com/mlb/diamondbacks/onsi as Diamondbacks Option Struggling Rookie Pitcher in New Roster Move .
