The D-backs have decided to bring back Rubby De La Rosa for 2017, as a source has confirmed to MLB.com that the club has signed the right-handed pitcher to a Minor League deal after non-tendering him in December.
Arizona has hopes to convert De La Rosa from a starter to a reliever in an effort to limit his trips to the disabled list. The 27-year-old native of the Dominican Republic underwent Tommy John surgery in 2011 and missed most of the final four months of the 2016 season with more elbow troubles. De La Rosa's uncertain future health-wise was a factor in the D-backs' decision not to tender him a contract, and the plan for him now is to compete for a bullpen job in Spring Training.