The Arizona Diamondbacks recalled hard-throwing relief pitcher Juan Morillo from Triple-A Reno and claimed right-handed reliever Gus Varland from the Chicago White Sox on Monday.

Varland was optioned to Triple-A.

The Diamondbacks additionally designated relievers Kendall Graveman and Jeff Brigham for assignment to create roster space.

With Morillo returning to the major leagues, the D-backs roster five rookies/prospects in the bullpen as they lean into a youth movement. The other four are Juan Burgos, Andrew Hoffmann, Andrew Saalfrank and Kyle Backhus.

Juan Morillo returns to Diamondbacks

Morillo has made 31 appearances for the Diamondbacks this season, which ranks third among pitchers who remain in the organization behind Jalen Beeks and Ryan Thompson.

The 26-year-old right-hander worked a 4.94 ERA and a more encouraging 3.88 FIP (fielding-independent pitching is used as a predictor). He can hit triple digits with his fastball and has been able to generate an above-average ground ball and pop-up rates. Walks have been an issue at 13.1% (league average is 8.4%).

He has made 15 appearances in Triple-A Reno this year with a 3.60 ERA.

Varland is a 28-year-old pitcher who made 26 MLB appearances last year for the White Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers to a 3.42 ERA.

Injuries have held him to only eight appearances in the minor leagues this season, and he has not pitched since June 28.

Varland comes with many years of team control, as he is not yet arbitration eligible. His brother, Louis, is a pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays.

Gus Varland, White Sox pitcher pic.twitter.com/tbWbFPWxGB

— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) December 18, 2024

Diamondbacks DFA Kendall Graveman

The D-backs took a flyer on Graveman at the start of spring training with a one-year contract.

The 34-year-old had been a very productive reliever from 2021-23 (2.74 ERA and 24 saves), but he missed all of 2024 after shoulder surgery. Injuries marred his time in Arizona, as he started the year on the injured list with a back issue and missed a month during the middle of the season with a hip impingement.

Graveman made 19 appearances with the D-backs to a 7.13 ERA (5.77 FIP), as his walk rate rose to a career-worst 14.6%. He allowed three runs on Sunday to the Colorado Rockies when entrusted with a low-leverage inning.

The Diamondbacks begin a three-game series on Monday at the Texas Rangers.

First pitch is at 5:05 p.m. MST on 98.7 and the Arizona Sports app.Â