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The fall from grace of Greg Holland appears to have turned into a full-scale plummet, with Robert Murray of The Athletic tweeting that Holland has been designated for assignment by the Diamondbacks. Holland was signed at the end of January to the team’s closer, the latest in a series of similar one-year closers which Mike Hazen has used since becoming GM of the Diamondbacks. But as we saw when we looked at the tactic last week, it’s an approach whose results have been distinctly mixed. Last year’s closer didn’t manage to hold the job for the entire season either, though Brad Boxberger did at least manage to stay with Arizona until the end of the year.
Holland’s season started off incredibly well, with a streak of 11 straight scoreless appearances, allowing just two hits in 11 innings, with 15 strikeouts. But his monthly ERAs tell the story of his season:
- April: 0.00
- May: 3.12
- June: 4.32
- July: 13.50
He lost the closer’s job after blowing his fifth save in 22 chances on July 26. But his three appearances since were little if any improvement. Holland being charged with five earned runs over just 2.1 innings, on three hits and three walks. It seems likely this move is in order to free up spots on both the 25- and 40-man rosters for Blake Swihart, who is coming to the end of his rehab assignment in Reno. As usual, if he’s not claimed or traded, Arizona will remain on the hook for money owed to the pitcher, except for a pro-rate portion of league minimum, due from any team which subsequently picks him up.
And speaking of claims, it appears that Zack Godley will be heading north of the border, having been claimed by the Toronto Blue Jays. Godley started the year in the Arizona rotation, but struggled there and was dropped to the bullpen after an April where he had a 7.58 ERA in six starts. The change didn’t really help much, with his season ERA never getting down below 6.26, and Godley was designated for assignment over the weekend. Nick Piecoro Tweeted earlier this morning that Zack has been claimed, apparently ending his five-year tenure as a Diamondback. As sprankton pointed out, that leaves only Robbie Ray on the active roster from the Dave Stewart era.