On the same day Byung-Hyun Kim's single-season club record of 36
saves was tied by closer Jose Valverde, Kim, who made two rough outings as
a starter upon being claimed off waivers from the Marlins, was
designated for assignment.
Valverde notched his 36th save in Wednesday's 9-6 victory at
Florida, equaling Kim's record, but Kim was sent packing, along with
left-hander Joe Kennedy, after the two waiver acquisitions were lit up in a
short and suspect stint with the team.
Both pitchers were designated for assignment a day after they
combined to pitch 2/3 of an inning against the Marlins on Tuesday, and
allowed seven hits, 10 runs, with three walks and three hit batters. The
Diamondbacks have 10 days to trade or release them or have them accept
minor-league assignments.
It appeared Kim, from South Korea, might be released and try to hook
on with a team in Japan.
Also on Wednesday, the Diamondbacks placed corner infielder Chad Tracy on the 15-day disabled list because of a troublesome right knee,
which has been bothering him since just before the All-Star break.
"It progressively got worse and worse and during the day off (on
Monday) he almost got back to square one just walking around," manager Bob
Melvin said.
Tracy has received a couple injections of a synthetic gel to relieve
some pressure in his knee, which is bothered by tendinitis, but it
apparently didn't do the trick.
"To his credit, he talked to me about it and said, 'It's not getting
any better. I don't want to hurt this team and limit what moves you
can make in a game,'" Melvin said.
OF Jeff Salazar, who was hitting .299 with 50 extra base hits for Class AAA Tucson, was
recalled to replace the injured 3B Chad Tracy. His addition finally gives the
Diamondbacks an extra outfielder to compliment starters Eric Byrnes,
Chris Young and Justin Upton.
RHPs Dustin Nippert and Jailen Peguero were recalled from Tucson
to replace Byung-Hyun Kim and Joe Kennedy. Nippert has struggled as a starter
in Tucson and as a reliever in Phoenix, but his nasty curveball gives him enough
upside to justify another crack at the big league bullpen. Peguero sported
a dazzling 1.95 ERA in Tucson, but struggled in his ten major league appearances
in June.
Peguero might be sent back to
make room for Sunday's expected starter, Yusmeiro Petit, who likely
will be promoted from Tucson to replace Kim in the starting rotation.
Active Roster
Acquisition
Analysis: Joe Kennedy 
Acquisition
Analysis: Byung-Hyun Kim
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