Chip Hale has done a good job with Arizona. (Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports)
PHOENIX — The Arizona Diamondbacks sent rookie reliever Andrew Chafin to the minor leagues Sunday to prevent them from the natural temptation, given his success this season, to use him more.
“Sometimes we have to make these moves to protect him from us,” Arizona manager Chip Hale said with a smile. “He just needs the time off, and we need to be vigilant in taking care of our arms.”
Chafin entered spring training as a candidate for a role in the starting rotation but after converting to the bullpen late this spring has been one of the best rookie relievers in the league this season. Chafin is 5-1 with two saves and a 2.41 ERA, and he leads major league rookie relievers with 67 1/3 innings.
Even before left-hander Oliver Perez was traded to Houston in late July, Chafin pitched in high leverage situations, not only a left-hander specialist but also in occasional two-inning bursts. Chafin has nine holds, and he had a streak of 19 consecutive scoreless innings broken Monday. He gave up seven hits and struck out 18 in 20 1/3 innings during that stretch.
“Nobody is ever happy about being sent down,” Chafin said, “but the way I see it, it is best for me right now and it is best for the team right now. They don’t want to push me too hard, and if I’m up here and not able to pitch, it doesn’t do the team any good.”
Chafin, 25, is not expected to pitch for Reno, Hale said, but will take one or two bullpen sessions to stay sharp. He is to return after Reno’s season ends Sept. 7. Chafin’s fastball sat at 90 mph Saturday, when he took his first loss of the season by giving up two hits and a run, a few ticks down from usual.
“He’s a little tired,” Hale said. “He’s been so good in every role, long left-handed setup, going multiple innings, in the late part of the game. And I would not be afraid to use him as a closer if we needed to.”
Chafin established himself as a key component moving forward.
“For me, he is right where he needs to be for us to be a championship team,” Hale said. “He’s a key cog in that. We explained that this was for and for his arm. He’s definitely shown us what he can do. He’s probably one of the brightest surprises on the team this year.”
