Diamondbacks' Yilber Diaz impressive in first start, keeping Braves in check early

The Arizona Diamondbacks have been searching all season for reliable pitching depth. They may have finally found a solution.

Yilber Diaz, 23, made his major league debut in the Diamondbacks' 5-4 loss to the Braves on Monday night at Chase Field. Diaz pitched six strong innings, only giving up one run.

His performance stood in contrast to nearly every other young pitcher the Diamondbacks have used this season in response to injuries sidelining multiple pitchers. Despite the recent growth of Ryne Nelson, their reserve starters have combined for a 5.75 ERA in 36 starts.

On Monday, Atlanta first baseman Austin Riley launched a home run in the first inning, but that was the only run Diaz surrendered in his first major league start.

Diaz is the 10th starting pitcher the Diamondbacks have used this season. Riddled with injuries, the team has been searching for reliable options. Last week in Los Angeles, they turned to Cristian Mena, who allowed four runs to the first four batters of his major league career.

The Diamondbacks are awaiting the return of injured starters Jordan Montgomery, Merrill Kelly and Eduardo Rodriguez. They have been shuffling through different options looking for one that sticks while those three progress to their returns.

Diaz proved he had the strength they were looking for. Manager Torey Lovullo said he didn’t see Diaz as a rookie. He didn’t see him as someone whose youth and nerves took the mound. He saw him playing like a veteran.

Diaz finished his six-inning performance giving up four hits, one run, one walk and registering five strikeouts — a respectable stat line for any pitcher, let alone one making his first major-league start. He is only the eighth pitcher in Diamondbacks history to allow one run or fewer in six-plus innings in his debut.

"It seemed like business as usual to him," Lovullo said. "(He) goes up and executes at a very high level, pitches six quality innings against a very offensive team, and on a day where I felt like we were a little flat after a very emotional road trip. He did exactly what he was supposed to do, was in line to win this baseball game, and hand it off to the bullpen. So, I can't say enough good things about him."

Diaz could have shown his youth in the third and sixth innings, with runners on base and potential runs on the line. But Diaz did what he said he would. He executed the game plan.

"I've seen young pitchers give up two or three runs in those situations," Lovullo said. 

When asked if he was nervous about making his debut, Diaz echoed that he would just breathe, refocus his thoughts and “execute” the game plan he was given. His nerves calmed after he threw his first strike. After that moment, it almost seemed like it was smooth sailing. 

“I want that to continue,” Lovullo said. “So that'll be our job to make sure that he stays motivated, which I'm sure he will, to go out and execute in that space again.”

Montgomery, who struggled in several starts prior to going on the injury list, could be back shortly after the All-Star break. The Diamondbacks likely are facing more than a month before Kelly and Rodriguez replenish their rotation to full health. In the meantime, Lovullo hopes Diaz can prove a reliable option.

"It would be great until we start to get healthy," Lovullo said. "We've got three guys that are down right now, and to get that type of start was a real big boost for us."

Diaz had been making his way through the minor leagues, progressing from Double-A Amarillo to Triple-A Reno. Lovullo said the club had been watching him and was confident in what he could bring to the table for the Diamondbacks.

Lovullo will carry that confidence later into the week, saying he may again call on Diaz in the upcoming home series against the Toronto Blue Jays.