Diamondbacks pitcher Blake Walston in line for first MLB start Sunday vs. Marlins
Left-hander Blake Walston has a locker at Chase Field and appears lined up to start on Sunday against the Miami Marlins, a decision the Diamondbacks are expected to make official after Saturday night’s game.
The start will be the first of Walston’s major league career. He made his big league debut earlier this month against the Los Angeles Dodgers, giving up two runs in 3 2/3 innings in a relief appearance.
Walston has been throwing well recently with Triple-A Reno. In five starts with Reno since April 20 — that includes two games before his debut and three starts after being sent back down — he owns a 2.77 ERA with 12 walks and 25 strikeouts in 26 innings.
Walston threw a five-pitch mix against the Dodgers in his debut: a four-seam fastball that averaged 92.1 mph along with a curveball, cutter, sweeper and change-up.
Sunday’s Diamondbacks-Marlins pitching matchup
Marlins at Diamondbacks, 1:10 p.m., Cox, Ch. 34
Diamondbacks LHP Blake Walston (0-0, 4.91) vs. Marlins LHP Ryan Weathers (2-4, 3.49).
At Chase Field: Walston seems like the most likely candidate to get the ball on Sunday, though as of Saturday afternoon the Diamondbacks had not yet announced their starter. … This is the spot in the rotation vacated by RHP Slade Cecconi, who was optioned to Triple-A Reno on Wednesday. …This would be Walston’s first career start. His made his debut in relief on May 1 vs. the Dodgers, giving up two runs in 3 2/3 innings. … Weathers was the seventh overall pick in the 2018 draft by the Padres. He made his way to Miami at the trade deadline last year. … Most recently, he shut down the Brewers over seven innings, giving up just one earned run on two hits and three walks while striking out eight. … In 14 careers innings against the Diamondbacks, he has allowed eight earned runs.
Coming up
Monday: Off.
Tuesday: At Texas, 5:05 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Brandon Pfaadt (2-3, 4.05) vs. Rangers RHP Dane Dunning (3-3, 4.43).
Wednesday: At Texas, 11:35 a.m., Diamondbacks RHP Ryne Nelson (3-3, 6.03) vs. Rangers LHP Andrew Healey (0-6, 4.69).
Thursday: At New York, 4:10 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Zac Gallen (5-4, 3.12) vs. Mets RHP Christian Scott (0-2, 3.97).
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Diamondbacks updates: Blake Walston in line for first MLB start
