The Arizona Diamondbacks declined the $4 million option for the 2025 season on right-handed reliever Scott McGough over the weekend. McGough hits the open market this winter after receiving a $750,000 buyout. McGough took a step back for the D-backs in 2024 in his second year with the team and went 1-3 with a 7.44 ERA (6.04 FIP), a 1.68 WHIP and 25:21 K:BB in 32 2/3 innings pitched in 26 appearances (two starts) for the Snakes. The 35-year-old was constantly being shipped back and forth between the minors and majors this year after spending all of the 2023 campaign in Arizona. He'll now look to latch on as relief depth with another club this offseason. In his two years in the desert, McGough posted a 5.59 ERA and 1.41 WHIP with nine saves, 111 strikeouts and 51 walks in 103 innings over 89 appearances (three starts).
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Scott McGough was optioned to Triple-A to make room for Merrill Kelly (shoulder), who was activated off the 60-day injured list on Sunday. McGough has operated as both a starter and a reliever this season in the desert. Across 29 innings of work in the big leagues, the 34-year-old posted a 6.83 ERA and a 1.62 WHIP. McGough was called upon to serve in long relief on Saturday evening and logged two clean innings with just one free pass. The right-hander could find his way back to the major leagues later in the second half but will likely continue to serve as a long-relief option, which will limit his potential fantasy value.
Arizona Diamondbacks reliever Scott McGough is heading to the injured list Sunday with right shoulder inflammation, according to Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic. The 33-year-old was a factor in save situations earlier in the season, racking up five saves in June, but has been limited to a lower-leverage role recently. Overall, McGough has pitched to a 4.73 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, and 28.6% strikeout rate with nine saves and 14 holds across 70 1/3 innings. There's no timetable yet for the second-year player, but he'll undergo an MRI on Monday. Fantasy managers can check back in for more updates.
Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Scott McGough earned his ninth save of the season on Monday when the club defeated the San Francisco Giants by a score of 4-3 in 11 innings. He completed one inning of work, allowed no baserunners, and struck out a pair. McGough now owns a 4.30 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, and 30.1% strikeout rate over 52 1/3 innings. The 33-year-old has been a factor in the Diamondback's closer committee this season, especially in June, when he secured five saves. However, the team traded for Paul Sewald, and he'll likely take over closing duties full-time, leaving McGough and company in a setup role.
Arizona Diamondbacks right-handed pitcher Scott McGough allowed five baserunners but escaped with a save on Sunday, helping lock down a 5-2 victory over the San Francisco Giants. McGough wasn't at his best in this one, but he did get the final four outs of the game. In the eighth, he allowed two hits and a walk before getting bailed out by a baserunning error, and then in the ninth, he allowed a hit and a walk but got out of it unscathed. Even with the shaky outing, McGough now appears to be the clear favorite for saves in Arizona, converting their last five opportunities. He needs to be added in all formats and has big upside as the main option on a very good team.
Arizona Diamondbacks reliever Scott McGough struck out one over two-thirds of an inning to earn the save in Thursday's 5-3 win over the Washington Nationals. The Nationals added two runs in the bottom of the ninth inning off Joe Mantiply to cut Arizona's lead down to two. The Diamondbacks turned to McGough to close out Thursday's win. McGough retired both batters he faced to earn his fifth save of the season. The 33-year-old has now racked up three saves over his last three appearances. McGough is in a committee with Miguel Castro and Andrew Chafin to be Arizona's primary closer. Fantasy managers searching for saves should look to add McGough in all formats, as he's the preferred option to close out games for the Diamondbacks right now.
Arizona Diamondback right-hander Scott McGough picked up Wednesday's save when he closed out the 5-1 win over the Milwaukee Brewers. He pitched the last two innings of the game, allowing no baserunners and striking out four. McGough now has four saves on the season, three of which have come in June to go along with a 2.54 ERA, 0.79 WHIP, and 30.9% strikeout rate across 39 innings. It seems like manager Torey Lovullo has gained a lot of trust in the 33-year-old recently, and he's worth a pickup in all formats if he continues as the number one ninth-inning option.
Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Scott McGough earned a two-out save on Sunday, securing a 7-5 win over the Detroit Tigers. The D-backs first turned to Andrew Chafin in the ninth, but after a triple and a walk, they called upon McGough to get the final two outs. He got a strikeout and a groundout to pick up his first save since April 2. This is a notable development, as Miguel Castro had been the right-handed reliever that the Diamondbacks preferred in late-inning situations lately. After a few rough outings, though, it appears they may be leaning towards McGough, who has rattled off 10 straight scoreless appearances (14 IP). Keep an eye on this situation, and possibly even add McGough in deeper categories leagues where saves matter.
Arizona Diamondbacks reliever Scott McGough has been reinstated from the paternity list after missing one game to attend to the birth of his second child. Reliever Carlos Vargas was optioned to Triple-A to make room on the active roster. McGough, 33, made it all the way back to the big leagues this season after last appearing with the Marlins in the 2015 season. He's struggled to a 6.23 ERA and 15.8% BB% in six appearances while he's also blown a save and allowed three home runs in that time. The closer's role is undefined in the D-backs bullpen but it's safe to say McGough will need to start producing before he is worth considering for saves moving forward.
Scott McGough Allows Back-To-Back Homers, Blows Save Monday
Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Scott McGough blew his first save of the season and took the loss in Monday's 5-4 game against the Padres. McGough came in to pitch the bottom of the ninth with a one-run lead. He allowed a leadoff homer to David Dahl to tie the game and then allowed the winning run on a Ha-Seong Kim HR. It was a stark contrast from McGough's Sunday outing, in which he retired both hitters he faced to earn his first save of the season. While the Diamondbacks are likely going to use a number of arms in save situations, it seems as though the 33-year-old may have the lead in a committee for now. However, he has only pitched 7 2/3 innings in his career, so fantasy managers should be wary.
