Trade season kicks off as Locastro shipped to Yankees
The first domino fell on Thursday in what is expected to be a busy trade deadline season for the Diamondbacks, who have traded outfielder Tim Locastro to the New York Yankees in exchange for minor league righthander Keegan Curtis.
At 22-60, the Diamondbacks own the worst record in the majors and figure to be active sellers leading to the deadline.
Infielder Eduardo Escobar’s name already has been mentioned prominently in trade rumors. The club has several other veterans, many on expiring deals, whom it might also look to move, including reliever Joakim Soria, infielder Asdrubal Cabrera and catcher Stephen Vogt.
Curtis, 25, had a 3.94 ERA in 12 appearances for Double-A Somerset. In 16 innings, he had 27 strikeouts. He features a fastball that averages 95 mph — a 2 1⁄2 mph jump from 2019 — as well as a slider and curveball.
Locastro, 28, was hitting a disappointing .178 with a .491 OPS in 118 at-bats for the Diamondbacks, who had hoped that with increased playing time he might emerge as a more valuable contributor than what he had been in the past.
Prior to this season, he had been used primarily as a weapon on the bases where his blazing speed — he ranks among the fastest players in the majors — allowed him to steal bases seemingly at
will. Locastro set a major league record earlier this season when he stole his 28th consecutive base without being caught to start his career. He has been successful, however, on just two of five attempts since then.
The trade was first reported by The Athletic.
J.B.’s back
Right-hander J.B. Bukauskas was reinstated from the injured list, taking Locastro’s place on the roster.
Bukauskas, who has been out since mid-May with a flexor strain in his right arm, was initially concerned he might have something more serious going on in his elbow.
“I woke up one day and couldn’t feel my fingers that great,” Bukauskas said.
It turned out to be ulnar neuritis, he said, adding that he felt fine once the inflammation cleared out. Not only did he post good results in a pair of rehab appearances for Triple-A Reno, Bukauskas said he cleared some mental hurdles as well.
“I was a little worried the other day about being able to turn a change-up back over; that’s what I felt it on,” Bukauskas said.
“I think I threw three or four changeups and they were solid. That’s what I was looking most for. Can I turn this back over and not feel anything? And I did. So I think it all worked out.”
Short hops
Outfielder Kole Calhoun has been pulled off his rehab assignment after feeling more discomfort in his left hamstring, on which he had surgery in late April.
Calhoun will be shut down “for several days,” Lovullo said.
Left-hander Madison Bumgarner (shoulder) will throw a 20-pitch bullpen on Friday and likely pitch in a to-be-determined game setting on Monday, Lovullo said.
Right-hander Taylor Widener (groin) will make his second rehab start on Saturday for High-A Hillsboro.
Right-hander Tyler Clippard (shoulder) will throw another live batting practice session on Friday.