Diamondbacks claim Blaine Boyer off waivers

The Diamondbacks have claimed pitcher Blaine Boyer off waivers from the Cardinals. He's nothing special - an ERA of 5.33 (ERA+ of 80) in 133.1 innings pitched for the Braves and Cardinals since his debut in 2005. Boyer started off the year with Atlanta, but was traded to St. Louis just a couple of weeks into the season - they designated him for assignment on June 4.

I am wondering if this is just a short-term move, designed to tide the bullpen over with a fresh arm after the eleven-inning workload needed from them yesterday. I was thinking we might also have sent someone like Clay Zavada (45 pitches yesterday) down to Reno, since he won't be able to throw again for at least a couple of days. Doesn't look like he'll be here in time for tonight's game. At the moment, Daniel Schlereth is the most available arm in the 'pen, having not thrown at all last night. Chad Qualls and Jon Rauch each threw less than fifteen pitches, so may be usable as well, though they may want to stay away from Qualls.

Assuming he plays, Boyer will become the sixteenth man to pitch out of the Arizona bullpen this year. That will tie us with Cleveland and Florida for the major-league lead, and will also match the total of relief pitchers used by the Diamondbacks during the entire 2008 season. Still, it's a low-impact kind of move: we didn't have to give up anything for Boyer, so can burn his arm out and toss him back into the pool. No word as yet on a corresponding roster move, that'll will follow after he arrives tomorrow.