The Diamondbacks signed right-hander Taylor Clarke to a one-year, $1.55 million deal on Thursday, Jan. 15, making the veteran reliever their first addition to the bullpen this offseason.
Clarke, 32, posted a solid 3.25 ERA in 55⅓ innings for the Kansas City Royals last season. He did not strike out many batters (44) but did not walk many (nine), either.
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Diamondbacks general manager Mike Hazen said the club sees Clarke as a versatile relief option.
“He was very consistent,” Hazen said. “He had a really good second half. We feel like he pounds the strike zone. We think he could fit into that longer role, multiple-inning, one-plus role. We feel like there’s versatility there. Obviously, we know the makeup and have a long history with him. Good fit for us.”
Taylor Clarke #45 of the Kansas City Royals pitches against the Athletics during the bottom of the fifth inning at Sutter Health Park on Sept. 26, 2025, in Sacramento.
Hazen said there remains “more work to be done” in the bullpen, and while he said he would like to add a pitcher with a track record of pitching late in games, he did not sound confident he would end up with one.
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“Would I like to have somebody that has a clear pedigree of pitching in the eighth and ninth inning? That’s an easier answer,” he said. “I’m not sure what we’ll have access to in that way. I think if we continue to build out talent in the bullpen, this bullpen is going to be good in time as we move through the season. We’re going to obviously be getting guys back as we move through the season, so I think the talent is naturally going to improve as we move through the year.”
The bullpen was a major trouble spot last season for the Diamondbacks, who were unable to overcome injuries to relievers Justin Martinez, A.J. Puk and others. Puk is expected back sometime in the season’s first couple of months while Martinez is likely to return sometime in the second half. Both underwent elbow procedures last year.
Clarke’s signing amounts to a homecoming. He was drafted by the Diamondbacks in 2015 and debuted in the majors with them four years later. He pitched parts of three seasons for them before being nontendered after the 2021 season.
Clarke is the third pitcher the club has signed to a major league deal this offseason, following the additions of starters Michael Soroka and Merrill Kelly.
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Clarke’s deal includes bonuses that could push the value of the contract beyond $2 million.
To make room for Clarke on the 40-man roster, the Diamondbacks designated right-hander Gus Varland for assignment.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Diamondbacks make veteran arm their first bullpen add of offseason