The Arizona Diamondbacks made a somewhat unexpected decision by parting ways with veteran reliever John Curtiss, releasing him from his minor league contract despite his solid contributions during the 2025 season. While Curtiss was not considered one of the team’s headline pitchers, he quietly became a dependable arm during one of the most difficult stretches the Diamondbacks bullpen faced in recent years. The move highlights how dramatically Arizona’s pitching situation has changed entering the middle portion of the 2026 campaign.
Curtiss originally emerged as one of the more reliable depth options for the Diamondbacks last season when injuries devastated the bullpen. Arizona spent much of 2025 searching for consistency in relief innings, as several important pitchers missed significant time due to injury. With the bullpen constantly being reshuffled, the team relied heavily on veterans, minor league signings, and overlooked contributors just to survive the season.
Among those contributors, Curtiss stood out more than many expected. The right-handed reliever appeared in 30 games for Arizona and posted a respectable 3.93 ERA. While that number may not place him among elite relievers around baseball, it was more than acceptable considering the circumstances surrounding the Diamondbacks’ pitching staff. Arizona’s bullpen struggled for stability throughout large stretches of the year, yet Curtiss consistently gave the club quality innings when called upon.
One reason Curtiss earned respect within the organization was his versatility. Unlike some relievers who are limited to brief appearances, Curtiss frequently handled extended outings. In 11 of his appearances during the 2025 season, he pitched more than one inning. That ability proved extremely valuable for manager Torey Lovullo, especially during stretches when starting pitchers failed to pitch deep into games or when injuries left the bullpen short-handed.
Advanced metrics also suggested Curtiss’ performance was legitimate enough to warrant consideration for future opportunities. His 4.01 Fielding Independent Pitching and 4.28 expected ERA indicated that his results were generally sustainable. He may not have overwhelmed hitters with dominant strikeout numbers, but he consistently limited damage and gave Arizona a chance to stay competitive in games.
The Diamondbacks’ bullpen situation last season was far from ideal. Injuries to important relievers such as A.J. Puk, Justin Martinez, and Shelby Miller forced Arizona to lean on pitchers who were not originally expected to carry major workloads. In that environment, Curtiss became one of the more dependable options available. At times, he even ranked among the team’s better-performing relievers statistically.
Because of those contributions, Arizona decided to retain Curtiss during the offseason on a minor league contract. The move made sense at the time, as teams always value experienced pitching depth. Injuries are inevitable over the course of a long season, and having a veteran capable of stepping into meaningful innings often becomes critical by midseason.
However, circumstances changed rapidly entering 2026. Curtiss was unable to secure a spot on the major league roster out of spring training and instead began the year with Triple-A Reno. While pitching in the Pacific Coast League can be extremely challenging due to the offensive environments many ballparks provide, Curtiss still managed a respectable 4.02 ERA. For many organizations, that would still represent useful depth worthy of keeping around.
Yet Arizona’s bullpen has taken a major step forward this season, creating a roster crunch that ultimately left Curtiss without a clear path back to the majors. Several relievers have stepped up and stabilized the late innings, giving the Diamondbacks one of the more improved relief units compared to last season.
Pitchers such as Juan Morillo, Jonathan Loaisiga, and Taylor Clarke have provided strong performances in recent weeks. Their consistency has helped Arizona protect leads more effectively and avoid the bullpen collapses that haunted the club throughout portions of 2025. Veteran relievers Ryan Thompson and Kevin Ginkel have also shown signs of returning to form after enduring inconsistent stretches earlier in their careers.
Meanwhile, closer Paul Sewald has continued handling ninth-inning responsibilities effectively despite suffering a recent blown save. Arizona’s confidence in its current relief group appears significantly higher than it was a year ago. The organization no longer seems desperate for bullpen help, which likely contributed heavily to the decision involving Curtiss.
The Diamondbacks have also shown creativity in how they manage pitching depth this season. Brandon Pfaadt has seen work out of the bullpen in certain situations, giving the club another multi-inning option. Left-hander Brandyn Garcia has similarly filled an important role by providing length and flexibility during games.
Beyond the major league roster, Arizona also has younger pitchers developing in the minor leagues who may offer more long-term upside. Prospects and younger depth arms continue to emerge within the organization, making it increasingly difficult for veteran players like Curtiss to hold roster spots unless they clearly separate themselves from the competition.
That reality is often one of the harshest parts of professional baseball. Even players who perform reasonably well can find themselves squeezed out when organizations prioritize younger talent, roster flexibility, or upside potential. Curtiss did little wrong statistically, but baseball decisions are often influenced as much by opportunity and timing as by performance alone.
There is still a strong possibility Curtiss finds another opportunity elsewhere. Teams across Major League Baseball are constantly searching for experienced relievers who can provide innings during the long regular season. Injuries inevitably create openings, and Curtiss’ track record as a dependable veteran could attract interest from clubs needing bullpen reinforcement.
It is also possible that Arizona could revisit a reunion later in the season if injuries begin to pile up again. Baseball rosters are constantly changing, and depth pitchers frequently move between organizations throughout the year. Curtiss’ familiarity with the Diamondbacks system could make him an easy option if future needs arise.
For now, though, the move signals Arizona’s growing confidence in its current bullpen structure. After enduring significant pitching instability during the 2025 season, the Diamondbacks finally appear to have developed a more reliable and healthier relief corps. As a result, difficult roster decisions became unavoidable, and Curtiss ultimately became the odd man out despite his previous contributions.
While he may not have been a star, Curtiss provided meaningful value during a difficult period for the franchise. His release marks the end of a quietly productive chapter with Arizona, but it may not necessarily mark the end of his major league career. Experienced relievers with versatility and reliability often find new opportunities quickly, especially as the grind of the MLB season continues to test pitching staffs across the league.
