Diamondbacks Sign Pitcher Returning From 4 Years In Japan

He's only pitched less than seven innings in the majors—and that was seven years ago. But right-hander Scott McGough is back, armed with a new splitter, and a two-year deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks. 

The #Dbacks agreed to terms with RHP Scott McGough on a 2-year contract with a mutual option for 2025.

In a corresponding roster move, Tyler Gilbert was designated for assignment.

— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) December 15, 2022

It's a 2-year, $6.25M deal, with a mutual option for 2025. 

The D-Backs were looking to beef up the bullpen this offseason, and they're hoping that McGough is ready to contribute after four years of closing in Japan. 

With the Yakult Swallows over that period, McGough posted 80 saves with a 2.94 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP. He owns a 9.7 K/9. In 2022, he saved 38 games, and posted a 2.35 ERA with a 59:13 strikeout-to-walk ratio. 

The now-33-year-old was originally drafted in 2011 in the 5th round by the Los Angeles Dodgers. He pitched just 6.2 innings for the Miami Marlins in 2015 before struggling in the minors for a few years and then landing in the Nippon Professional Baseball league in Tokyo in 2019.

"We’re happy we got this done," GM Mike Hazen said. "I think we added another guy that’s going to pitch in the back end of our bullpen. He’s closed a number of games in Japan the last couple of years, so he has that experience, and we feel like that, with a combination of stuff -- the development of his split over there -- were probably the biggest selling points for us trying to go after him."

Tyler Gilbert was designated for assignment to make room on the roster. 

Photo: Yukihito Taguchi-USA TODAY Sports