The Diamondbacks on Saturday activated reliever Takashi Saito from the disabled list and optioned Jonathan Albaladejo to Triple-A Reno to open up a spot on the roster.
The 42-year-old Saito has not pitched in a major league game this season. he has been on the disabled list since April 4 with a strained right medial calf. Saito, who will be the first player of Japanese descent to pitch for the D-backs, appeared in four games at Reno in June, going 0-1 with a 10.12 ERA, and then threw three scoreless innings with four strikeouts in three appearances for the Arizona League D-backs from July 13-19.
Saito was an All-Star in 2007 with the Dodgers, for whom he pitched from 2006-08. He also his pitched in his six-year career for the Red Sox, Braves and Brewers. In 322 career appearances, all in relief, he has 84 saves, a 2.18 ERA and a .199 opponents batting average.
Albaladejo made three appearances with the D-backs, allowing three earned runs in three innings pitched. The 29-year-old was recalled July 18 from Reno, where he ranked second in the Pacific Coast League with 17 saves and was 3-1 with a 3.35 ERA in 35 relief appearances.
