The Diamondbacks have signed right-hander Chris Ellis to a minor league contract. The deal was announced by the Atlantic League’s Long Island Ducks, with whom Ellis had been slated to pitch. Ellis is one of two players signed from the Ducks today, as veteran righty Dan Straily landed with the Cubs on a minor league deal.
Ellis, 31, is a former third-round draftee who has appeared in parts of three big league campaigns. Originally selected by the Angels out of Ole Miss, he was dealt to the Braves alongside Sean Newcomb in the Andrelton Simmons trade. Atlanta subsequently moved him to the Cardinals as part of a package for Jaime García, but Ellis peaked at Triple-A in the St. Louis system.
He made his big league debut with a lone appearance for the Royals in 2019. It’d take two more years for him to get a somewhat longer look, as he logged 29 1/3 frames between the Rays and Orioles. Ellis turned in a 2.15 ERA but had a below-average 19.6% strikeout rate and an elevated 11.6% walk percentage. He started two games for the O’s the following year, allowing five runs over 4 1/3 innings. He promptly underwent season-ending shoulder surgery and was outrighted off the roster at the end of that season.
Ellis sat out the entire 2023 campaign. He’s apparently healthy enough to get back on the mound and figures to join Triple-A Reno as non-roster rotation depth. The Diamondbacks have taken a few hits to their rotation in recent weeks. Eduardo Rodriguez will be out at least into late May because of a Spring Training lat injury. Ryne Nelson was knocked out for at least a few weeks by a comebacker. The biggest hit came earlier this week, as Merrill Kelly looks to be in for a lengthy absence due to a shoulder strain. That pushed Tommy Henry and Slade Cecconi into the starting five behind Zac Gallen, Jordan Montgomery and Brandon Pfaadt.
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