The Arizona Diamondbacks have reportedly signed right-hander Derek Law to a minor league deal. The move was first reported by MLB Transactions Daily, then by FanSided’s Robert Murray.
According to Murray, the deal includes an invitation to big league Spring Training. Law will earn a $1.5 million base salary in the major leagues, plus up to $500K in incentives. The incentives are based on appearances.
- $50K each for 20, 25, 30, 40, and 45 appearances
- $100K each for 50 and 55 appearances
Based on the contract details, it’s clear that he will get every chance to make the major league roster. It carries a similar guarantee to another reliever the Diamondbacks signed this offseason, Taylor Clarke. Clarke remains the lone major league signing for Arizona’s bullpen this offseason, earning a $1.55 million guarantee.
Law is coming off an injury-plagued 2025 season that ended with flexor tendon surgery in his right elbow in July. With a recovery of nine to 10 months, that puts his potential return date to April or May 2026.
Once he’s throwing on the mound for Triple-A Reno, that starts the clock on the decision to roster him. Based on the incentives, the Diamondbacks believe there’s a somewhat reasonable pathway for Law to record 55 appearances.
Derek Law’s Potential Role With the Diamondbacks
Given the closeness in base salary, the Diamondbacks could envision similar roles for Clarke and Law. Hazen referred to Clarke as a versatile arm, with the possibility of getting more than three outs. Law could very well be in the same boat, as 105 of his 322 career appearances have had him pitch multiple innings.
With a low guarantee, it’s a safe assumption that the Diamondbacks do not see him as a leverage arm. It’s more likely he’ll get appearances in the middle innings (fifth, sixth, and seventh) while occasionally stepping up in leverage situations. Looking at Law’s career track record, that’s not a role he’s been used frequently in.
Law fits more of what Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo would describe as a “negative” role. That’s often a situation where the team is behind, but close, late in games. The idea is that the reliever puts up a zero to give the hitters a chance to impact the game.
Diving deeper on Baseball Reference, the right-hander has appeared in mostly low or medium-leverage situations. Only 91 of his 322 career appearances did he enter in high-leverage situations. So it’s safe to say he won’t be appearing in any leverage or “positive” role very often.
Diamondbacks Bullpen Situation Entering 2026
The Diamondbacks’ bullpen is anything but a sure thing entering 2026. Arizona is hoping its bullpen doesn’t implode again in the absence of A.J. Puk and Justin Martinez. Both pitchers are expected to return from elbow surgery after the start of the season.
The Diamondbacks are anticipating Puk will return before the All-Star break and Martinez after. The former underwent UCL revision surgery with an internal brace, and the latter Tommy John surgery.
Related: Diamondbacks Could Get Major Bullpen Boost Sooner Than Expected
Arizona Sports radio host John Gambadoro reported the Diamondbacks would look to the trade market for further bullpen additions. Hazen himself confirmed that when speaking to The Arizona Republic‘s Nick Piecoro.
Kevin Ginkel, Ryan Thompson, and Taylor Clarke are the only three relievers who are locks to make the Opening Day bullpen. The other five spots will be up for grabs, although left-hander Andrew Saalfrank is an overwhelming favorite.
The other four spots should be an open competition. Jonathan Loaisiga is another flier the Diamondbacks took on a minor league deal. Loaisiga will battle it out with a multitude of Arizona’s internal candidates.
Those internal candidates include flamethrowers Yilber Diaz, Drey Jameson, and Juan Morillo, and Brandyn Garcia. Because of their 40-man roster depth, it’s why Hazen chose to take a softer approach with the bullpen and divert resources to shoring up the starting rotation this offseason.
Beyond the 40-man roster, prospects Hayden Durke and Alfred Morillo will get a hard look this upcoming spring. Both relievers should debut by the end of the season.
With the Diamondbacks aiming to be contenders in 2026, the bullpen will have to perform better than it did in 2025. Failure to do so wastes a year of the team’s expected contention window and could lead to changes.
Contract Details Reveal Potential Role for Diamondbacks’ Newest Reliever