The Arizona Diamondbacks announced today they have recalled right-handed pitcher Esmerling Vasquez from Triple-A Reno and optioned right-handed pitcher Kam Mickolio to Reno, according to D-backs' Executive Vice President and General Manager Kevin Towers.
Vasquez, 27, tossed a scoreless inning while collecting a strikeout in his lone appearance with Reno on April 11 at Colorado Springs. Over parts of two seasons with the D-backs, he is 4-9 with a 4.81 ERA (57 ER in 106.2 IP) with 67 walks and 100 strikeouts in 110 games, the second-highest total appearances among D-backs relief pitchers since 2009.
Mickolio, 26, posted a 9.00 ERA (5 ER in 5.0 IP) with a walk and 6 strikeouts in 4 games with the D-backs. He was charged with 3 runs on 4 hits and a walk with 2 strikeouts over 0.2 innings in his most recent appearance on April 12 vs. Cardinals. Over parts of four seasons with the Orioles and D-backs, he is 0-3 with a 5.10 ERA (17 ER in 30.0 IP) with 15 walks and 32 strikeouts in 27 games.
Mickolio was the last man aboard the Opening Day bullpen, and it was a close decision between him and Vasquez, as both performed decently in spring. Vasquez, if anything, was actually better, posting a 2.35 ERA, allowing four earned runs in 15.1 innings, on 11 hits and four walks. However, Mickolio appeared to have the advantage of being part of the return from the Reynolds trade. That lasted only as far as last night's horrible performance, where he faced seven batters, retiring two. One suspects Gibson and Towers may have close to a "zero tolerance" policy for relievers with minor-league options left.