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Diamondbacks’ Gus Varland: Booted off 40-man roster
The Diamondbacks designated Varland (undisclosed) for assignment Thursday.
The transaction frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for the addition of Taylor Clarke. Varland has not made an appearance for Arizona, as he was a waiver claim in August and didn’t pitch during the final three month of the season due to an undisclosed injury.
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Diamondbacks’ Taylor Clarke: Reunites with Diamondbacks
The Diamondbacks signed Clarke to a one-year contract Thursday.
It’s a homecoming for Clarke, who was drafted by the Diamondbacks and initially broke into the majors with Arizona. The right-handed reliever spent the 2025 campaign with the Royals, collecting a 3.25 ERA and 44:9 K:BB across 55.1 frames. Clarke has eight career saves and the Diamondbacks have an unsettled bullpen, but it would still be a surprise if he sees many, if any, save opportunities in the desert.
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Diamondbacks’ Blaze Alexander: Back to utility role
Alexander is expected to shift to a utility role following the Diamondbacks‘ acquisition of third baseman Nolan Arenado, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports.
Alexander finished up the 2025 season as Arizona’s primary third baseman after Eugenio Suarez was traded to the Mariners at the trade deadline. Until the Arenado news, Alexander was the nominal starter at the hot corner. He now moves back into a utility role, which will include opportunities in the outfield. The Diamondbacks will be without left fielder Lourdes Gurriel (knee) for much of the first half of 2026 and will want a right-handed complement to Alek Thomas in center field. The team may also deploy him in a rotation at DH. That’s in addition to Alexander’s ability to back up at three infield positions. His main competition for playing time will be Jordan Lawlar, although general manager Mike Hazen believes both will be able to impact the club “in a number of different ways.”