The Arizona Diamondbacks recently made a roster adjustment involving one of their bullpen arms. On Friday, the organization announced that right-handed relief pitcher Kade Strowd had been optioned to Triple-A Reno. The move comes after a difficult stretch for the 28-year-old during spring training, where his performance failed to meet expectations.
Strowd arrived in the Diamondbacks organization during the offseason as part of a trade with the Baltimore Orioles. In that deal, Arizona sent versatile infielder and outfielder Blaze Alexander to Baltimore, while Strowd was acquired in return. At the time of the trade, the Diamondbacks hoped that Strowd would provide meaningful help to a bullpen unit that struggled with consistency throughout the previous season.
When the deal was finalized, the expectation surrounding Strowd was cautiously optimistic. The right-hander had shown encouraging signs during his limited major league action with the Orioles in 2025. Over the course of 26.1 innings pitched, he recorded an impressive 1.71 earned run average, suggesting that he could potentially develop into a reliable bullpen piece. Those numbers caught the attention of Arizona’s front office, which was looking to strengthen its relief corps heading into the new season.
However, spring training has not unfolded as the Diamondbacks had hoped for Strowd. During Cactus League play, he has struggled significantly on the mound. Through his appearances so far, the right-hander has posted a 10.57 ERA, a figure that reflects just how challenging his outings have been. As a result, the Diamondbacks decided that the best course of action for both the team and the player would be to send him to the minor leagues to continue refining his performance.
By assigning Strowd to Triple-A Reno, the organization is giving him the opportunity to work on adjustments away from the pressure of the major league roster. The move does not necessarily mean he is out of the team’s plans entirely. In fact, he will still be able to participate in Cactus League games during spring training. Nevertheless, the decision makes it clear that Strowd will not be part of Arizona’s Opening Day roster unless unforeseen circumstances—such as injuries or unexpected developments—force the team to reconsider.
The numbers from Strowd’s spring training outings illustrate why the Diamondbacks felt this move was necessary. Across 7.2 innings pitched, he has allowed 11 hits and 10 total runs, nine of which were earned. Those statistics indicate that opposing hitters have consistently been able to generate offense against him, whether through base hits or other forms of contact.
That said, the raw numbers do not tell the entire story. Some of the runs that scored against Strowd were influenced by subpar defense behind him, particularly in the infield. Defensive lapses can significantly affect a pitcher’s results, as errors or missed plays often extend innings and lead to additional scoring opportunities for the opposing team. In Strowd’s case, several such situations contributed to the inflated numbers seen in the box score.
Even with those defensive shortcomings taken into account, however, Strowd has also been responsible for allowing a considerable amount of hard contact. Hitters have managed to square up his pitches with regularity during spring training games, resulting in solidly struck balls that have led to hits and runs. For a reliever trying to earn a spot in the bullpen, that kind of contact is particularly concerning.
While Strowd has struggled early in his time with the Diamondbacks, the player he was traded for has been performing reasonably well in his new environment. Blaze Alexander, now with the Orioles, has been hitting .281 so far. Although that batting average suggests he has been able to reach base through hits at a respectable rate, his power production has been limited. Alexander’s slugging percentage currently sits at just .313, indicating that most of his hits have been singles rather than extra-base hits.
Alexander had carved out a useful role with the Diamondbacks during the 2025 season before the trade. Known for his versatility, he was capable of handling multiple defensive positions across both the infield and outfield. That flexibility made him a valuable piece of Arizona’s roster, as it allowed the coaching staff to move him around depending on the team’s needs. Many within the organization believed that Alexander could continue expanding his role in the future.
Despite Alexander’s usefulness, the Diamondbacks found themselves with a crowded infield situation at the time of the trade. Several players were competing for playing time in similar positions, creating what could be described as a logjam. With limited opportunities available for everyone, the front office saw an opportunity to address another area of need—bullpen depth.
General manager Mike Hazen ultimately made the decision to trade from that surplus of position players in order to obtain relief pitching help. From a strategic standpoint, the move made sense. Teams often look to exchange strength in one area for assistance in another, particularly when trying to balance their roster before the start of a new season.
However, trades like this are often judged based on how well the acquired player performs after joining the new team. If Strowd eventually establishes himself as a reliable bullpen arm, the Diamondbacks could consider the deal a success. But if he struggles to make an impact at the major league level, the organization may end up having parted with a useful and versatile player without receiving much value in return.
For now, it is far too early to reach any definitive conclusions. Strowd’s struggles have come during spring training, a period that often serves as a time for experimentation and adjustment rather than a true reflection of regular season performance. Many pitchers experience inconsistent results during this stage of the year as they work on mechanics, refine pitch usage, and rebuild their stamina after the offseason.
Another important factor to consider is Strowd’s relatively limited experience in the major leagues. Even though he is already 28 years old, he has not spent a large amount of time pitching at the highest level of professional baseball. That means there is still room for development as he gains more exposure and continues refining his approach.
In baseball, late bloomers are not uncommon, particularly among relief pitchers. Some pitchers take longer to establish consistency, and once they do, they can become dependable contributors for many years. The Diamondbacks are likely hoping that Strowd falls into that category.
His underlying tools suggest that such a possibility exists. Strowd possesses a cutter that proved to be a particularly effective pitch during the 2025 season. That offering helped him generate weak contact and limit opposing hitters’ success when he was with the Orioles. A strong cutter can be a valuable weapon for a reliever, especially when paired with solid velocity on a fastball.
Speaking of velocity, Strowd’s fastball has averaged close to 96 miles per hour. That level of speed places him comfortably within the range expected of modern major league relievers. When combined with the movement on his secondary pitches, the fastball gives him the potential to challenge hitters effectively if he can consistently locate it.
Because of those attributes, the Diamondbacks’ coaching staff likely believes that Strowd still has the potential to become an effective bullpen option. Sometimes a pitcher simply needs additional time in the minor leagues to regain confidence, sharpen command, and adjust pitch sequencing.
By sending him to Triple-A Reno, the organization is giving Strowd a chance to do exactly that. In Reno, he will have the opportunity to work closely with coaches, analyze his mechanics, and focus on improving areas that have contributed to his recent struggles. Without the immediate pressure of producing results at the major league level, he can dedicate time to making the necessary adjustments.
For the Diamondbacks, patience may ultimately prove to be the most important factor in evaluating the trade. While early results have not been encouraging, the season has not yet begun, and there is still ample time for Strowd to develop into the pitcher the team hoped he could become.
In the meantime, Arizona will proceed with its roster plans for Opening Day without him. The bullpen will likely feature other relievers who have performed more consistently during spring training. Should injuries occur or performance issues arise during the season, however, Strowd could quickly find himself back in the conversation for a call-up.
Ultimately, the success or failure of the trade that brought him to Arizona will depend on what happens over the months—and possibly years—ahead. Baseball careers often involve ups and downs, and early setbacks do not necessarily determine a player’s long-term trajectory.
For now, the Diamondbacks and their fans will have to wait and see whether Strowd can translate his potential into reliable performance. If he manages to harness his velocity, refine his command, and rediscover the effectiveness of his cutter, he could still become a valuable piece of Arizona’s bullpen.
Until that happens, though, the right-hander will continue his development in Triple-A, working toward the goal of earning another opportunity at the major league level and proving that the Diamondbacks’ decision to acquire him was ultimately the right one.
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