Jhoulys Chacin. (Ben Margot, The Associated Press)
The Rockies in a surprise move in March. Five months later, the right-hander will pitch his first start of the season for the Arizona Diamondbacks.
and added him to their big-league roster for a start against the St. Louis Cardinals in Phoenix on Monday.
Chacin, 27, pitched this season with Cleveland’s Triple-A team in Columbus, then with Arizona’s affiliate in Reno.
“I’m surprised,” as he left Salt River Fields on March 22, after the Rockies cut him. “I haven’t been pitching well. I haven’t been doing what I wanted to do. But I didn’t expect it. Now I have a chance to find something else.”
That something else started with Cleveland. Chacin continued to work out in Scottsdale, Ariz., then signed a minor-league deal with the Indians. In June, without a big-league opportunity in front of him in Cleveland, Chacin opted out of his deal.
A few days later, he signed with the Diamondbacks with the option of opting out again in July. But he stayed with Arizona and will finally get an opportunity.
Chacin pitched to an impressive 3.47 ERA with the Rockies in 2013, with a 14-10 record, after he lowered his WHIP to 1.26 that season, down from 1.62 in 2012. But shoulder injuries slowed his 2014 run. After the in January, they were not pleased with his showing in spring and released him.
Tags: Arizona Diamondbacks, Cleveland Indians, Jhoulys Chacin
