The Arizona Diamondbacks have outrighted reliever Christian Montes De Oca, reducing their 40-man roster count to 37. This decision comes as the team prepares for the Rule 5 draft deadline, which is set for tomorrow evening. The 26-year-old Montes De Oca made his MLB debut this past season, but his time with the team was cut short due to an elbow injury and subsequent surgery on a lower back issue. He had a brief appearance, pitching 2 2/3 scoreless innings with two strikeouts and one walk. Despite his short-lived presence, Montes De Oca's journey to the professional ranks began at age 22, and he has a 4.34 ERA in 186 2/3 innings across four minor league seasons. He will remain in the system as a non-roster player and is expected to receive an invitation to big league camp if he's healthy next spring. The Diamondbacks' move to outright Montes De Oca provides an extra spot on the roster, allowing them to consider keeping prospects like Gavin Conticello, Dylan Ray, or Jacob Steinmetz, who are all potential additions to the team's future plans.
