Diamondbacks' Scott McGough: Settling in as setup arm
Rotowire
McGough struck out one over a scoreless and hitless inning to earn a hold in Sunday's 8-5 loss to Atlanta.
McGough did his job in the eighth inning, but closer Miguel Castro let it slip away in the ninth. McGough faltered early in the season, but he's righted himself and back pitching in high-leverage spots. On May 6, the right-hander was 0-3 with three blown saves and a 5.87 ERA over 15.1 innings. In the same number of innings since then, McGough sports a 0.59 ERA with 20 strikeouts with just five hits allowed.
... See More... See Less
Diamondbacks' Scott McGough: Can't escape third jam
Rotowire
McGough (0-4) took the loss in Tuesday's 9-8 extra-innings loss to the Athletics. He allowed one unearned run on two hits and three walks (two intentional) while striking out four over 2.1 innings.
McGough worked the extra frames for Arizona, throwing a career high in innings and pitches (49). After escaping jams in the 10th and 11th, the right hander was unable to wriggle out of one in the 12th. McGough has a 4.50 ERA (5.48 FIP) with 22 strikeouts and eight walks over 22 innings.
... See More... See Less
Diamondbacks' Scott McGough: Can't hold lead
Rotowire
McGough (0-3) allowed two runs on two hits while striking out one over one inning and took the loss to the Rangers on Tuesday.
McGough entered with the Diamondbacks leading after starter Zac Gallen managed five innings. The reliever retired the first two batters faced but allowed a two-out single and a two-run home run that Ezequiel Duran smacked 431 feet. There have been a few hiccups for McGough, but the right-hander settled down and entered Tuesday with just one run allowed and nine strikeouts over the previous nine innings.
... See More... See Less
Diamondbacks' Scott McGough: Logs fifth hold
Rotowire
McGough retired both batters faced to earn a hold in Wednesday's 2-0 win over Kansas City.
McGough stranded an inherited runner from starter Zac Gallen to pick up his fifth hold and second in as many outings. After he was given opportunities to close games, McGough appears to be settling in as part of the setup crew along with Miguel Castro as the bridge to closer Andrew Chafin. McGough is chipping away at a high ERA that stood at 9.64 after a blown save two weeks ago. Since then, he's allowed one run on two hits while striking out six over seven innings.
... See More... See Less
Diamondbacks' Scott McGough: Saddled with loss
Rotowire
McGough (0-2) allowed two runs on three hits over a third of an inning, picking up the loss to Miami on Saturday.
McGough came out of an impressive spring training as a late-inning relief option, but the right-hander's uneven regular-season performance may take him out of consideration for save chances. His appearance in the seventh inning Saturday after the Diamondbacks had taken the lead ended up being his second blown save in three opportunities. McGough's allowed five runs on six hits, including three home runs, and three walks over 4.2 innings.
... See More... See Less
Diamondbacks' Scott McGough: Back from paternity leave
Rotowire
The Diamondbacks reinstated McGough (personal) from the paternity list Wednesday.
McGough missed Tuesday's loss to the Brewers while welcoming a new member of his family, but the 33-year-old will be available for Wednesday's series finale. Arizona optioned Carlos Vargas to Triple-A Reno in a corresponding move.
... See More... See Less
Diamondbacks' Scott McGough: Goes on paternity leave
Rotowire
Arizona placed McGough on the paternity leave list Tuesday.
McGough has been excused from the Diamondbacks as he welcomes a new member of his growing family. The 33-year-old reliever holds an 8.10 ERA through 3.1 innings of work this season. Jose Ruiz, acquired from the White Sox on Sunday, will join the Arizona bullpen in his place.
... See More... See Less
Diamondbacks' Scott McGough: Blows saves, takes loss
Rotowire
McGough (0-1) was tagged with Monday's loss after allowing two runs on two hits without retiring a batter in a 5-4 loss to the Padres.
McGough, looking to earn a second save in as many games, served up back-to-back home runs to David Dahl and Ha-Seong Kim, turning a potential comeback win into a crushing walkoff loss. "You just try to keep level-headed, come back to work tomorrow," he told Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic. The scene was a throwback to 2022 when the Diamondbacks were walked off 11 times and suffered 41 relief losses, both tied for most in the majors. McGough has been through this rodeo before -- as a high-leverage reliever in Japan -- and knows how to bounce back.
... See More... See Less
Diamondbacks' Scott McGough: Earns first save
Rotowire
McGough struck out one over a scoreless two-thirds of an inning to save Sunday's 2-1 win over the Dodgers.
McGough dispatched the two hitters he faced on nine pitches to record the first save of his MLB career. He'd been a closer in Japan the last two seasons, and the Diamondbacks rolled the dice in bringing him back stateside. The right-hander impressed in the Cactus League, putting him in the mix to save games.
... See More... See Less
Diamondbacks' Scott McGough: Scuttles save opportunity
Rotowire
McGough walked two batters over a third of an inning and earned his first hold in Friday's 2-1 win over the Dodgers.
McGough, who entered with a runner on and two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning, walked the first batter he faced before getting Miguel Rojas on a loud lineout to short. The right-hander was brought back out for the ninth but was removed after walking the first batter. In all, McGough threw just four of 13 pitches for strikes. He had a strong spring training, which earned him a shot at being the primary closer among a committee of relievers, but McGough scuttled his first chance. Andrew Chafin finished off the Dodgers for the save.
... See More... See Less
Diamondbacks' Scott McGough: Closes out Monday's win
Rotowire
McGough struck out two over a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save in Monday's spring game against the Guardians.
McGough will be one of the options that manager Torey Lovullo uses to close games, and that the right-hander took the mound in the ninth fuels speculation he could get the first crack at being the primary closer. "I like his tempo, his rhythm, the way he stands on the mound, the carry on his fastball, the ability to throw two or three pitches at any time," Lovullo told Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic. "He executed very well tonight." McGough has allowed three runs (two earned) on five hits and two walks while striking out 11 over 9.1 Cactus League innings.
... See More... See Less
Diamondbacks' Scott McGough: Gives up first spring runs
Rotowire
McGough allowed two runs (one earned) on three hits and struck out two over two-thirds of an inning in Sunday's spring game against the Royals.
The runs were the first allowed during the Cactus League by McGough, whose work included seven swinging strikes, including three each on his splitter and slider, per Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic. The right-hander figures to be a strong candidate for save opportunities early in the season.
... See More... See Less
Diamondbacks' Scott McGough: Continues scoreless run
Rotowire
McGough allowed one walk and struck out three over a scoreless fifth inning in Wednesday's spring game against Texas.
Wednesday's base on balls is the lone blemish for McGough, who has yet to allow a run or hit over four Cactus League innings. "He has the ability to mix his pitches and throw them all for strikes. And the ability to understand when he needs a swing and miss moment and when he needs to bury a pitch," manager Torey Lovullo told Steve Gilbert of MLB.com. The 33-year-old right-hander pitched the last four seasons in Japan, serving as the closer for the Yakult Swallows. The Diamondbacks signed him to compete for a role in late-game situations, and McGough has shown himself capable.
