--- title: "Pfaadt returns to Arizona rotation vs. Rays Friday" description: "Right-hander Brandon Pfaadt makes his first MLB start of 2024 Friday as the Diamondbacks chase a Wild Card spot." url: https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/brandon-pfaadt-making-start-for-arizona-on-friday-23088d25 published: 2026-06-30T13:39:15.844+00:00 updated: 2026-06-30T13:39:15.844+00:00 author: "Kostadin Stamboliev" publisher: "Pineido" site: "Sportopod" language: en topics: ["baseball"] --- # Pfaadt returns to Arizona rotation vs. Rays Friday > Right-hander Brandon Pfaadt makes his first MLB start of 2024 Friday as the Diamondbacks chase a Wild Card spot. Brandon Pfaadt will make his first MLB start of the season for the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday against the Tampa Bay Rays, per Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic. The 25-year-old right-hander slots into the rotation after a dominant stretch in Triple-A Reno, where he posted a 2.70 ERA and 1.05 WHIP over 23.2 innings across five starts. Pfaadt’s return comes as Arizona sits 78-65 and locked in a tight NL Wild Card race, currently holding the sixth seed in the National League. The Diamondbacks’ rotation has been stretched thin, with injuries and inconsistent outings from other arms forcing manager Torey Lovullo to shuffle the deck. Pfaadt’s ability to provide length and quality starts will be tested immediately against a Rays lineup that ranks fifth in MLB in runs scored and features core hitters like Randy Arozarena and Yandy Díaz. Pfaadt last pitched in the majors on May 18, allowing four runs in 4.1 innings against the Dodgers. Since then, he has worked on command and pitch sequencing in Reno, lowering his walk rate from 4.2 to 2.8 per nine innings. Arizona’s front office has repeatedly cited Pfaadt’s upside as a mid-rotation starter, and Friday’s start is a critical audition. Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic noted that Pfaadt’s fastball velocity has ticked up to 95 mph in recent outings, a positive sign for a pitcher looking to regain his footing in the majors. If Pfaadt can deliver a six‑plus inning outing, Lovullo gains a rare chance to rest the bullpen and keep the rotation on a predictable schedule. The Diamondbacks have been relying heavily on spot starts and bullpen games, which taxes relievers in a stretch where every out matters. A solid performance would let the staff revert to a conventional four‑day rotation, preserving arms for the final push toward the postseason. The Wild Card picture is razor‑thin; a win against a potent Rays offense could vault Arizona into a higher seed and force rivals to play catch‑up. Conversely, a short start would hand the Rays another run‑heavy night and deepen the rotation’s woes. In a league where run differential often decides playoff fate, Pfaadt’s ability to limit damage against a top‑scoring lineup is a litmus test for the Diamondbacks’ postseason aspirations. ## Why this matters Pfaadt’s return stabilizes a Diamondbacks rotation that has been a question mark for much of the second half. With the team clinging to a playoff spot, his ability to deliver consistent innings could be the difference between a postseason berth and another October on the outside. The Wild Card race is tighter than ever, and Arizona can’t afford another shaky rotation spot. ## Frequently asked ### Why is Brandon Pfaadt making his first MLB start of the season now? Pfaadt was recalled after a strong stretch in Triple-A Reno, where he posted a 2.70 ERA and 1.05 WHIP over 23.2 innings. The Diamondbacks needed rotation depth amid injuries and inconsistency. ### Who is Brandon Pfaadt’s first opponent? Pfaadt is set to face the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday. The Rays rank fifth in MLB in runs scored and feature hitters like Randy Arozarena and Yandy Díaz. ### How has Pfaadt performed in the majors this season? Pfaadt last pitched in the majors on May 18, allowing four runs in 4.1 innings against the Dodgers. His return is an opportunity to rebuild his 2024 résumé. ### What are the Diamondbacks’ playoff chances? Arizona sits 78-65 and holds the sixth seed in the National League Wild Card race. The team is fighting for a postseason berth in a tight race. ### Has Pfaadt shown improvement in the minors? Yes. Since his last MLB appearance, Pfaadt has lowered his walk rate from 4.2 to 2.8 per nine innings and seen his fastball velocity tick up to 95 mph in recent outings. ## Sources & Citations - [Brandon Pfaadt: Making start for Arizona on Friday](https://www.rotowire.com//baseball/player/brandon-pfaadt-16903) — ClearSports (2026-06-25) --- Cite: Pfaadt returns to Arizona rotation vs. Rays Friday. Sportopod, 2026-06-30. https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/brandon-pfaadt-making-start-for-arizona-on-friday-23088d25