RHP Matt Stites, designated for assignment by the Diamondbacks on Jan. 13, was outrighted to Triple-A Reno on Thursday. Stites, 25, had no decisions and a 12.46 ERA in 11 relief appearances for Arizona last year. He went 1-1 with three saves and a 3.86 ERA in 23 outings with Reno.

RHP Matt Stites was designated for assignment by the Diamondbacks on Wednesday to clear a spot on the 40-man roster for newly acquired RHP Cody Hall. Stites, 25, had no decisions and a 12.46 ERA in 11 relief appearances for Arizona last year. He went 1-1 with three saves and a 3.86 ERA in 23 outings with Triple-A Reno.

Stites was crushed in an outing against the Astros on Friday, allowing seven runs (five earned) on four hits and two walks, while recording just two outs.

The game was already pretty well out of hand, but Stites just didn't have it in this one. This one outing jumped his ERA on the year five runs to 12.46, which tells you about the kind of year he was having even before this stinker. While still just 25 years old, it's not clear how many more chances Stites will have to make in the majors.

Stites was recalled from Triple-A Reno on Tuesday, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Stites made four appearances for the D-Backs earlier in the season, but he's spent most of his time at Triple-A, where he holds a 4.33 ERA across 27.0 innings. The reliever, who recently returned from a short DL stint, will add depth to the Arizona bullpen down the stretch, but it's unclear whether he'll be trusted in high-leverage situations.

Stites was placed on the minor league disabled list Thursday, Zach Buchanan of the Arizona Republic reports.

Stites has spent most of his time with Triple-A Reno this season, but the 25-year-old hasn't seen much success. The injury isn't considered major, so it wouldn't be surprising if he spends minimal time on the disabled list.

Stites was optioned to Triple-A Reno on Thursday.

Stites will head back to Reno after spending only a few days with the big league club. He allowed one run on one hit in two-thirds of an inning Tuesday and did not allow a hit in one-third of an inning (four pitches) Wednesday against Miami.

Stites was recalled from Triple-A Reno on Sunday.

Stites made two scoreless appearances for the Diamondbacks earlier this year, and will return to fulfill a role in middle relief once again. The 25-year-old right-hander owns a 1.88 ERA over 13 appearances with the aces this season, but has struck out just eight in 14.1 innings.

Stites was optioned to Triple-A Reno on Saturday.

In his latest major league stint, Stites made two appearances, surrendering no runs on one hit and no walks while striking out no one in 1.1 innings. He'll continue to serve as organizational bullpen depth.

Stites was recalled from Triple-A Reno on Tuesday.

Stites struggled in 37 appearances for the Diamondbacks last season, posting a 5.73 ERA with aa 1.485 WHIP in 33 innings. He's spent the bulk of 2015 at Triple-A, where he's 0-1 with a 4.35 ERA in 10.1 innings. Stites spent roughly the first two months of the season on the DL with an elbow injury.

Stites (elbow) has been activated from the disabled list and demoted to Triple-A Reno, Jody Jackson of Fox Sports Arizona reports.

The injury bothered him since early spring training, and the returns on his rehab assignment were a bit of a mixed bag (five strikeouts, but two runs in 1.1 innings). He'll go get right in Triple-A, and if he shows promise there, could become part of what's been an embattled Arizona bullpen.

Stites (elbow) will pitch in an extended spring training game Monday, Jack Magruder of FOX Sports Arizona reports.

If Monday's outing goes as expected, Stites would then head out to High-A Visalia later in the week to begin a rehab assignment. The right-hander reliever will likely require a lengthy rehab stint, as he was mostly limited in spring training due to the elbow concern.

Stites (elbow) played catch Monday, but remains without a timetable for his return, the Arizona Republic reports.

Stites' elbow injury caused him troubles throughout spring, but he made a step in the right direction Monday by playing catch. However, he'll likely require multiple bullpen sessions before returning to the Dbacks' bullpen, so mid-to-late April would likely be the earliest he'd rejoin the club.

Stites (elbow) will open the season on the disabled list, Zach Buchanan of the Arizona Republic reports.

Given that he's been slowed by a lingering elbow injury this spring, it's no surprise that Stites is headed to the DL to begin the year. An April return is possible, but far from guaranteed at the present time.

Diamondbacks manager Chip Hale said the MRI of Stites' elbow looked pretty clean, MLB.com's Steve Gilbert reports.

Stites also had an MRI earlier in the month, and while he seems to have avoided structural damage, he may not be ready for Opening Day. It's possible Stites could open his season with Triple-A Reno, but he's expected to contribute to the big-league bullpen this season.

Stites (elbow) hasn't thrown since his arm "locked up" following a live batting practice session Saturday, the D-backs' official site reports.

Although an MRI earlier this month revealed no structural damage, Stites seems primed to begin the season on the disabled list, as he'll likely need a few weeks of rest and rehab before he's ready for game action again.

Stites (elbow) threw his third bullpen session of the spring Wednesday, the Arizona Republic reports.

He's on track to face live hitters for the first time Saturday. Stites' availability for Opening Day is up in the air at the present time, however.

Stites (elbow) has been throwing from a mound, the Arizona Republic reports.

He still has not made a spring debut in the Cactus League, however, and there is a growing possibility that Stites will be forced to open the 2015 campaign on the 15-day DL.

Stites (elbow) was scheduled to throw his first bullpen session of the spring Thursday, the Arizona Republic reports.

Much like teammate Addison Reed, Stites has enough time to get ready for Opening Day, but it's not a guarantee at this point. How he responds to the sessions will be important in how the Diamondbacks proceed with Stites' throwing program.

Stites (arm) has been limited this spring, the Arizona Republic reports.

The hard-throwing right-hander would be among the favorite to earn a bullpen spot if he were healthy, but he appears to be progressing on a schedule similar to that of Matt Reynolds. As a result, there is a growing possibility that Stites will begin the season on the disabled list.

Stites experienced some soreness during a recent throwing session and will kept off a mound for a couple days, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Stites struggled mightily in 37 appearances with the Diamondbacks last season, but his numbers in 29 appearances between Double-A and Triple-A were much better (2.89 ERA, 1.14 WHIP). Manager Chip Hale stressed that Stites is just sore and no injury is in play, but the right-hander won't be completely in the clear until he returns to mound work.