The D-backs are bringing back right-hander Rubby De La Rosa on a two-year Minor League deal, the club announced Tuesday. He was assigned to Double-A Jackson.
De La Rosa, 28, was granted his unconditional release on Sept. 1, shortly after he underwent a second Tommy John surgery on his right elbow. He likely will miss the entire 2018 season.
De La Rosa made just nine appearances in the Majors in 2017 as he tried to avoid surgery with stem-cell treatment, rest and rehab. He's 18-15 with a 4.59 ERA through 54 games (42 starts) since joining the D-backs in a trade with the Red Sox prior to the 2014 season.