PHOENIX β The Diamondbacks made a move to solidify the back end of their bullpen on Wednesday, adding four-time All-Star and former Arizona Wildcats standout Mark Melancon on a two-year deal worth a reported $14 million.
The right-handed Melancon, who will be 37 by opening day, led the big leagues with 39 saves last year in his only season with the San Diego Padres. He had a 4-3 record and 2.23 ERA to earn his first All-Star appearance since 2016.
Melancon's deal also has a mutual option for 2024.
The D-backs had problems all over the roster last season, finishing with a 52-110 record, but a bad bullpen was among the worst issues. Almost all spots will be up for grabs next season, though holdovers like Joe Mantiply, J.B. Wendelken and Caleb Smith are prime candidates to relieve.
Melancon will almost certainly be the team's closer. He played in college at Arizona and has 244 career saves over a well-traveled 13-year MLB career that includes time with the Pirates, Giants, Braves, Yankees, Astros, Red Sox, Padres and Nationals.
Andrew Nardi is the 34th Arizona Wildcat to make the big leagues since 2009. Here are all of them:
Andrew Nardi joins list of ex-Wildcats in the big leagues
Updated
Andrew Nardi
Andrew Nardi is a big-leaguer.
The former UA right-hander was called up to the big leagues on Sunday, becoming theΒ 34th ex-Wildcat to make the majors since 2009. He made his big-league debut Tuesday night for the Marlins.
Here's a look at the list:
Daniel Schlereth
Updated
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Daniel Schlereth throws during workouts for pitchers and catchers Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2009, during spring training baseball in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Daniel Schlereth
Position: Relief pitcher
Big-league debut: May 29, 2009
Team: Arizona Diamondbacks
Ryan Perry
Updated
Detroit Tigers pitcher Ryan Perry against the Colorado Rockies in a baseball game Friday, May 22, 2009 in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
Ryan Perry
Position: Relief pitcher
Big-league debut: April 8, 2009
Team: Detroit Tigers
Brad Mills
Updated
Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Brad Mills throws against the Philadelphia Phillies during the first inning of an interleague baseball game, Thursday, June 18, 2009, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/H. Rumph Jr)
Brad Mills
Position: Starting pitcher/relief pitcher
Big-league debut: June 18, 2009
Team: Toronto Blue Jays
Mark Melancon
Updated
This is a 2010 photo of Mark Melancon of the New York Yankees baseball team. This image reflects the New York Yankees active roster as of Thursday, Feb. 25, 2010 when this image was taken. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Mark Melancon
Position: Relief pitcher
Big-league debut: April 26, 2009
Team: New York Yankees
Trevor Crowe
Updated
Cleveland Indians' Trevor Crowe hits an RBI-single off Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Lucas Harrell, scoring Trevor Crowe, during the seventh inning of a baseball game Friday, Oct. 1, 2010, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Trevor Crowe
Position: Outfielder
Big-league debut: April 9, 2009
Team: Cleveland Indians
Konrad Schmidt
Updated
Arizona Diamondbacks' Konrad Schmidt, right, fields a bunt hit by Colorado Rockies' Edgmer Escalona as Diamondbacks pitcher Bryan Shaw, left, jumps out of the way during the 12th inning of a baseball game Monday, Oct. 1, 2012, in Phoenix. The Rockies defeated the Diamondbacks 7-4.(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Konrad Schmidt
Position: Catcher
Big-league debut:Β Sept. 13, 2010
Team: Arizona Diamondbacks
Jason Donald
Updated
Seattle Mariners catcher Josh Bard waits for the ball as Cleveland Indians' Jason Donald slides safely into home in the fourth inning during a baseball game Saturday, Sept. 4, 2010, in Seattle. Donald scored on a single by Michael Brantley. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Jason Donald
Position: Shortstop
Big-league debut: May 18, 2010
Team: Cleveland Indians
Jordan Brown
Updated
Cleveland Indians' Jordan Brown, left, talks with Asdrubal Cabrera during a spring training baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers Tuesday, March 1, 2011, in Goodyear, Ariz. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan)
Jordan Brown
Position: First base/outfield
Big-league debut: Aug. 1, 2010
Team: Cleveland Indians
Cory Burns
Updated
This is a 2012 photo of Cory Burns of the San Diego Padres baseball team. This image reflects the Seattle Mariners active roster as of Feb. 27, 2012 when this image was taken. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Cory Burns
Position: Relief pitcher
Big-league debut: Aug. 4, 2012
Team: San Diego Padres
Preston Guilmet
Updated
Cleveland Indians pitcher Preston Guilmet throws during spring training baseball practice in Goodyear, Ariz., Thursday, Feb. 13, 2014. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Preston Guilmet
Position:Β Relief pitcher
Big-league debut:Β July 10, 2013
Team: Cleveland Indians
Donn Roach
Updated
San Diego Padres starting pitcher Donn Roach works against the Colorado Rockies in the first inning of a baseball game in Denver on Sunday, May 18, 2014. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Donn Roach
Position:Β Starting pitcher/relief pitcher
Big-league debut:Β April 2, 2014
Team:Β San Diego Padres
Brad Glenn
Updated
UA's Brad Glenn gets back to first as ASU's Ike Davis attempts to tag him on a pick-off in the bottom of the eighth inning Friday, May 23, 2008. The UA won in 11 innings 4-3. Jeffry Scott / Arizona Daily Star
Brad Glenn
Position:Β Outfielder
Big-league debut:Β June 27, 2014
Team:Β Toronto Blue Jays
Dan Butler
Updated
Dan Butler. Photo courtesy of Pawtucket Red Sox
Dan Butler
Position:Β Catcher
Big-league debut:Β Aug. 10, 2014
Team:Β Boston Red Sox
Rob Refsnyder
Updated
New York Yankees Rob Refsnyder returns to the dugout after an at-bat during a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers, Sunday, June 12, 2016, in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Rob Refsnyder
Position: Second base/outfield
Big-league debut:Β July 11, 2015
Team:Β New York Yankees
Jett Bandy
Updated
Los Angeles Angels catcher Jett Bandy and closer Andrew Bailey enjoy a laugh as the congratulate each other after closing out the Angels' 2-1 victory over the Oakland Athletics in a baseball game Monday, Sept. 26, 2016, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)
Jett Bandy
Position: Catcher
Big-league debut:Β Sept. 14, 2015
Team:Β Los Angeles Angels
Joey Rickard
Updated
Orioles outfielder and former Arizona Wildcat Joey Rickard has bounced around between the majors and Triple-A this season. βBaseball is an everyday battle to find your swing,β he said. Rickard, who was a major contributor to the Catsβ 2012 title run, was batting .349 in the minors.
Joey Rickard
Position:Β Outfielder
Big-league debut:Β April 4, 2016
Team:Β Baltimore Orioles
Andy Burns
Updated
Toronto Blue Jays' Andy Burns scores on a ground out by teammate Devon Travis as Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Welington Castillo waits for the throw during the ninth inning of an interleague baseball game, Tuesday, July 19, 2016, in Phoenix. The Blue Jays won 5-1. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Andy Burns
Position: Infielder
Big-league debut:Β May 9, 2016
Team:Β Toronto Blue Jays
Alex Mejia
Updated
St. Louis Cardinals' Alex Mejia, right, is congratulated by Stephen Piscotty after hitting a solo home run during the eighth inning of the team's baseball game against the Washington Nationals on Saturday, July 1, 2017, in St. Louis. The Cardinals won 2-1. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Alex Mejia
Position:Β Shortstop
Big-league debut:Β June 29, 2017
Team:Β St. Louis Cardinals
Willie Calhoun
Updated
Texas Rangers' Willie Calhoun, right, celebrates after hitting a home run off Oakland Athletics' Ryan Buchter in the eighth inning of a baseball game Friday, July 26, 2019, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
Willie Calhoun
Position:Β Third baseman/outfielder/designated hitter
Big-league debut:Β Sept. 12, 2017
Team:Β Texas Rangers
Daniel Ponce de Leon
Updated
St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Daniel Ponce de Leon stands on the mound as he waits to be removed during the third inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros Saturday, July 27, 2019, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Daniel Ponce de Leon
Position:Β Starting pitcher
Big-league debut:Β July 23, 2018
Team:Β St. Louis Cardinals
Kevin Newman
Updated
Pittsburgh Pirates' Kevin Newman, right, celebrates after he drove in the winning run against the Chicago Cubs on Aug. 16, 2019, in Pittsburgh.
Kevin Newman
Position:Β Shortstop
Big-league debut:Β Aug. 16, 2018
Team: Pittsburgh Pirates
Scott Kingery
Updated
Philadelphia Phillies' Scott Kingery watches after hitting a three-run home run off Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Jon Duplantier during the second inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, June 11, 2019, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Scott Kingery
Position: Infielder
Big-league debut: March 30, 2018
Team:Β Philadelphia Phillies
Johnny Field
Updated
Tampa Bay Raysβ Johnny Field was a groomsman at former Wildcat teammate Rob Refsnyder's wedding. The two have spent time on the same team together in the majors.
Johnny Field
Position:Β Outfielder
Big-league debut:Β April 14, 2018
Team:Β Tampa Bay Rays
Brandon Dixon
Updated
Cincinnati Reds' Brandon Dixon, left, celebrates with third base coach Billy Hatcher (22) after hitting a solo home run off Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu in the second inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2018, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
Brandon Dixon
Position: Infielder/outfielder
Big-league debut:Β May 22, 2018
Team:Β Cincinnati Reds
Kevin Ginkel
Updated
Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Kevin Ginkel throws a pitch against the Philadelphia Phillies in his Major League Baseball debut during the seventh inning of a baseball game, Monday, Aug. 5, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Kevin Ginkel
Position:Β Relief pitcher
Big-league debut:Β Aug. 5, 2019
Team: Arizona Diamondbacks
Seth Mejias-Brean
Updated
The Padres' Seth Mejias-Brean, left, gets a hug from Ty France in a celebration after hitting a walkoff two-run home run against the Diamondbacks on Sept. 22.Β
Seth Mejias-Brean
Position:Β Infielder
Big-league debut:Β Sept. 4, 2019
Team:Β San Diego Padres
Bobby Dalbec
Updated
Boston Red Sox's Bobby Dalbec watches his solo home rin in front of Toronto Blue Jays catcher Reese McGuire in the third inning of a baseball game at Fenway Park, Friday, June 11, 2021, in Boston. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
Bobby Dalbec
Position:Β Third base/first base/designated hitter
Big-league debut:Β Aug. 30, 2020
Team:Β Boston Red Sox
Jared Oliva
Updated
Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Adam Frazier (26) makes the catch on a fly ball by Chicago Cubs' Cameron Maybin as he collides with left fielder Jared Oliva to end a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2020. The Pirates won 7-0. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Β Jared Oliva
Position: Outfield
Big-league debut: Sept. 21, 2020
Team: Pittsburgh Pirates
Tylor Megill
Updated
New York Mets starting pitcher Tylor Megill pitches against the Atlanta Braves during the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, June 23, 2021, in New York. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
Tylor Megill
Position: Starting pitcher
Big-league debut: June 23, 2021
Team: New York Mets
Alfonso Rivas
Updated
The Cubs' Alfonso Rivas gestures after hitting an RBI single on April 15, 2022.
Alfonso Rivas
Position: First baseman
Big-league debut: Aug. 29, 2021
Team: Chicago Cubs
JJ Matijevic
Updated
Houston Astros' J.J. Matijevic gets back safely to first base on a pickoff attempt in the sixth inning of a spring training baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Wednesday, March 23, 2022, in West Palm Beach, Fla.
JJ Matijevic
Position: First baseman/outfielder
Big-league debut: April 22, 2022
Team: Houston Astros
Chase Silseth
Updated
Los Angeles Angels' Chase Silseth pitches against the Oakland Athletics during the sixth inning of a baseball game in Oakland, Calif.
Chase Silseth
Position: Starting pitcher
Big-league debut: May 13, 2022
Team: Los Angeles Angels
Cal Stevenson
Updated
Oakland Athletics' Cal Stevenson (37) runs home to score on Tony Kemp's three run-double next to Los Angeles Angels catcher Max Stassi during the seventh inning of a baseball game in Oakland, Calif., Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2022.
Cal Stevenson
Position: Outfielder
Big-league debut: Aug. 10, 2022
Team: Oakland Athletics
Andrew Nardi
Updated
Miami Marlins relief pitcher Andrew Nardi (90) aims a pitch in the sixth inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres, Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2022, in Miami. This was Nardi's major league debut.
Andrew Nardi
Position: Pitcher
Big-league debut: Aug. 16, 2022
Team: Miami Marlins
