Diamondbacks Sign Taylor Clarke to Bolster Pitching Staff

This article digs into the Arizona Diamondbacks’ choice to bring back a familiar face, re-signing veteran reliever Taylor Clarke. The move aims to shore up a bullpen that’s been searching for stability.

We’ll also look at the roster move that followed and what Clarke actually means for Arizona as the season approaches.

Diamondbacks Reunite With a Familiar Arm

The Diamondbacks went with what they know, signing right-handed reliever Taylor Clarke to a one-year, $1.55 million contract. There are performance incentives that could bump the total over $2 million, which feels like a pretty reasonable bet for a club that wants reliability more than flash.

To clear a spot on the 40-man roster, Arizona designated right-hander Gus Varland for assignment. The front office clearly wants healthy, dependable relief options right now, not long-term projects or gambles.

Contract Details and Roster Implications

Clarke’s deal isn’t huge by today’s bullpen standards, but it comes with expectations. He’ll turn 33 in May, so nobody sees him as a project—he’s here to eat innings and hold things together.

One-year contract worth $1.55 million

Incentives that can raise the deal above $2 million

Guaranteed spot on the active roster due to service time

Since Clarke has more than five years of MLB service time, Arizona can’t send him to the minors without his approval. He’s basically locked into the big-league bullpen to start the season.

A Full-Circle Return to Arizona

Clarke’s path back to Arizona has been winding. The Diamondbacks picked him in the third round of the 2015 MLB Draft, and he broke into the majors in 2019.

By 2020, he’d moved to a full-time bullpen role. After a rough 2021, Arizona non-tendered him, sending him to free agency.

He landed with Kansas City, where he pitched meaningful innings for the Royals. Then came a trade to Milwaukee and a bit of bouncing around.

A Career Year Changes the Narrative

The Royals brought Clarke back last offseason on a minor-league deal. That quiet move ended up paying off.

The 2025 season turned out to be his best yet, both in stats and command. In 55 1/3 innings, Clarke posted a 3.25 ERA, struck out 21.4% of hitters, and walked just 4.4%.

Sure, a low .208 batting average on balls in play helped those numbers, but he looked more consistent and efficient on the mound.

What Clarke Brings to the Bullpen

Clarke isn’t coming in to be a late-inning strikeout machine. His swinging-strike rate and K numbers sit just below league average.

Honestly, that’s fine. Arizona just needs someone steady, especially with A.J. Puk and Justin Martinez sidelined and few elite arms around.

Clarke’s job is to bridge innings and keep things from unraveling when the game’s still up for grabs.

Role Expectations for 2026

He’ll likely slot into a middle-inning role with guys like Ryan Thompson and Kevin Ginkel. His main tasks: keep games manageable and absorb innings so the bullpen doesn’t wear down.

It’s a signing about raising the floor—a veteran who knows how to survive against big-league hitters a few times each week.

Gus Varland’s Uncertain Future

The corresponding roster move sends Gus Varland into limbo. The 29-year-old right-hander just finished a season cut short by a lat strain. He has a 4.82 ERA over 42 big league appearances.

Now, Varland faces trade or waivers. He doesn’t have three years of service time and hasn’t been outrighted before, so if no one claims him, he could stick around in the organization.

 
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