Pfaadt Shines in Ugly Bullpen Debut for Diamondbacks

Right-hander Brandon Pfaadt delivers 6.1 innings of one-run relief to save Arizona's bullpen after starter's early exit.

Apr. 20, 2026 at 1:30am

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A fractured, multi-angled painting depicting the motion of a baseball pitcher, with sharp geometric shapes and planes in a color palette of navy, orange, and teal, conveying the dynamic action of the sport.A cubist interpretation of a relief pitcher's delivery, capturing the raw energy and movement of the game in a fragmented, geometric style.Phoenix Today

In a game that saw the Arizona Diamondbacks' starting pitcher Ryne Nelson get blown up for 8 earned runs in just 1 out, right-hander Brandon Pfaadt came in to deliver 6.1 innings of one-run relief, preserving the bullpen and keeping the team in the game.

Why it matters

Pfaadt's efficient long relief outing was a rare bright spot in an otherwise ugly loss, showcasing his value as a multi-inning bullpen arm who can eat innings and save the rest of the relief corps when the starting pitcher struggles.

The details

Pfaadt entered the game in the 3rd inning with two outs, replacing Andrew Hoffmann who had been forced into the game early. Despite the tough circumstances, Pfaadt delivered 6.1 innings of one-run ball, striking out 2, walking 2, and allowing just 4 hits. His lone run came on a wild pitch and a sacrifice fly in the 4th inning.

  • Pfaadt entered the game in the top of the 3rd inning with two outs.
  • Pfaadt's outing lasted 6.1 innings on Sunday, April 20, 2026.

The players

Brandon Pfaadt

A right-handed pitcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks who made his 2026 bullpen debut in this game, delivering 6.1 innings of one-run relief.

Ryne Nelson

The Diamondbacks' starting pitcher who was knocked out in the 1st inning after giving up 8 earned runs without recording an out.

Andrew Hoffmann

The Diamondbacks pitcher who was forced into the game early in relief of Nelson, throwing 2.2 innings.

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What they’re saying

“Without Brandon Pfaadt, six and a third, coming in, we would be up against it for another three or four days. So he's built to do that for us, and the fact that he's able to do 82 or 84 pitches and protect the entire bullpen and give them a day off, that was fantastic.”

— Torey Lovullo, Diamondbacks Manager

What’s next

The Diamondbacks will look to bounce back in their upcoming series against the Chicago White Sox starting on Tuesday.

The takeaway

Pfaadt's long relief outing demonstrated his value as a multi-inning bullpen arm who can step up and eat innings when the starting pitcher struggles, preserving the rest of the relief corps for future games.