Pfaadt entered with two outs in the top of the third inning, replacing Andrew Hoffmann. Hoffmann was forced into the game in the first inning and threw 2.2 innings, as right-handed starting pitcher Ryne Nelson was blown up for eight earned runs<\/a> on eight hits while recording only one out.<\/p>\n It was not the best situation to come into, but Pfaadt performed a valuable service to Arizona \u2014 preserving their bullpen for the upcoming series with the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday. <\/p>\n D-backs’ Brandon Pfaadt <\/a>makes 2026 bullpen debut Apr 5, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Brandon Pfaadt (32) during the first inning at Chase Field against the Atlanta Braves. Mandatory Credit: Arianna Grainey-Imagn Images | Arianna Grainey-Imagn Images<\/p>\n “Without Brandon Pfaadt, six and a third, coming in, we would be up against it for another three or four days. So he’s built to do that for us, and the fact that he’s able to do 82 or 84 pitches and protect the entire bullpen and give them a day off, that was fantastic,” Lovullo said.<\/p>\n “So between [Pfaadt and Hoffmann], great job.”<\/p>\n Pfaadt’s lone run came in the fourth inning. He allowed a single and a walk before throwing a wild pitch. The run scored on Andres Gimenez’s ensuing sacrifice fly. <\/p>\n The right-hander’s outing was one of the few positives from an ugly game. He worked efficiently, getting 10 whiffs and 14 called strikes while keeping the Blue Jays to just one extra-base hit \u2014 an eighth-inning double off the bat of Vladimir Guerrero Jr.<\/p>\n The Diamondbacks failed to sweep the Blue Jays as a result of the lopsided first inning, though they did end up outscoring Toronto 4-2 in the latter eight frames \u2014 in no small part due to Pfaadt’s efforts.<\/p>\n Arizona’s rotation decision has now paid dividends on both sides. In addition to Pfaadt’s relief outing, Michael Soroka is continuing to excel in the rotation<\/a>, throwing seven innings with two earned runs in his most recent start.<\/p>\n![\"Arizona](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/01kpm25bfpjh4tegyqrp.jpg\" "\\"Arizona")
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