Diamondbacks Select Derek Law's Contract After Flexor Tendon Surgery Rehab

The Diamondbacks announced they have selected Derek Law's contract from Triple-A Reno, adding a veteran right-hander to a bullpen that has posted a 4.44 ERA since the All-Star break — a mark that ranks 23rd among 30 teams.

Law last appeared in the majors in September 2024, and the road back has been anything but smooth. Arm problems cost him all of last season, culminating in flexor tendon surgery in July 2025. He returned to game action with a couple of Rookie League outings in May, then encountered another setback that kept him out until August. From that point through his call-up, Law made five Triple-A rehab appearances, covering 6 1/3 innings in Reno while allowing only five hits and no runs or walks. Arizona, per the announcement, decided that was enough to warrant a big-league look.

The track record

Law has appeared at the MLB level for six different clubs across eight seasons, carrying a 3.69 ERA over 346 career innings. He has never been a high-strikeout reliever; instead, his calling card is limiting hard contact, reflected in a career 37.1% hard-hit ball rate. His most recent MLB season, 2024 with the Nationals, was among his best: a 2.60 ERA and 48.5% grounder rate over 90 innings, paired with elite chase and barrel rates per the source. Whether he can approach anything close to that after such a lengthy layoff remains genuinely unknown.

The corresponding moves

To make room for Law, left-hander Kohl Drake was optioned back to Triple-A Reno — a quick turnaround for Drake, who had recently been called up and struggled, allowing 5 earned runs in 4 innings against the Giants. Left-hander Mitch Bratt was called up from Reno as the 27th man for Arizona's doubleheader against the Giants. No 40-man roster spot was required for Law's selection, as Arizona entered the day with only 39 players on its 40-man.

What to watch

Arizona entered the day a half-game behind the Padres for the final NL wild card berth, which gives the bullpen situation real urgency. Law's addition is a low-cost gamble on a pitcher with a legitimate track record — but what he can actually deliver after more than a year away from meaningful game action is the question Arizona is now paying to answer.