Drey Jameson Will Not Pitch in 2024 Arizona Fall League

The Arizona Fall League will start soon, but Drey Jameson will not be part of it

Sep 15, 2022; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Drey Jameson (58) reacts after retiring the San Diego Padres in the seventh inning at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Rob Schumacher-Arizona Republic / Rob Schumacher/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK

Drey Jameson last pitched in an affiliated game over a year ago. The right-hander appeared in relief July 6th of the 2023 MLB season versus the New York Mets. Midway through his outing, coaches and medical staff checked on him before he threw a dozen more pitches.

Since then, he has been recovering from right elbow surgery. With 10 games left in this MLB season, Jameson will have to wait till next year to pitch again at the major-league level.

The annual Arizona Fall League begins in less than two weeks, and there might have been an opportunity for Jameson to be a part of it. But according to a team official, "there is no plan for Jameson to pitch in the Fall League at this time."

The Salt River Rafters carry players from five different MLB affiliates, the Arizona Diamondbacks being one of them.

As of two weeks ago, Jameson was throwing bullpen sessions twice a week for a total of 11 sessions, per Jack Sommers.

Jameson's role with the team last season varied. In 15 games, Jameson started three, closed out one along with eleven more relief outings. Given his injury and Arizona's loaded rotation, his role would be more defined in 2025, potentially being utilized as a high-leverage closer with his lively stuff.

Whether or not Jameson can regain his above-average velocity will be a primary focus for him. Last season, Jameson reached 99.6 mph on his four-seamer and featured a wipeout slider that generated a whopping 49.6 whiff rate, per Baseball Savant.

Jameson has the stuff to play a key role next year in Arizona's struggling bullpen. A strong performance in the AFL could have gone a long way in strengthening in his case to crack the 2025 Opening Day roster, but as of now, that opportunity will not be presented.