The Arizona Diamondbacks didn’t plan to hand the ball to a debutant on Father’s Day — but a rotation gutted by injuries made the call for them, and the result is one of the more compelling watch-now stories of the weekend. Right-hander Jose Cabrera, a 24-year-old from the Dominican Republic known as “El Caimán,” will make his major league debut against the Minnesota Twins at Chase Field.
Cabrera got the nod after Ryne Nelson (elbow) and Michael Soroka (glute) landed on the injured list a day apart, with Brandon Pfaadt not yet stretched back out. Manager Torey Lovullo framed it as no gamble: “We know what’s very capable in our system.” The numbers back the confidence — Cabrera carried a 3.69 ERA and 1.03 WHIP across Double-A Amarillo and Triple-A Reno this year, leaning on a deep six-pitch mix, a mid-90s fastball, and two distinct breaking balls. His last start, for Reno on June 13, was six shutout innings with six strikeouts.
To clear a 40-man spot for Cabrera, Arizona designated right-hander Yilber Díaz for assignment — a move that underscores a rotation in flux. With Ryne Nelson and Michael Soroka on the injured list, the D-backs need struggling veterans Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly to steady the staff while younger arms fill in. On Sunday, Cabrera will likely throw to catcher Gabriel Moreno.
Signed out of the Dominican Republic, Cabrera — full name Jose Manuel Cabrera — has climbed every rung of Arizona’s system since 2021, from the Dominican Summer League to Triple-A Reno, where the club selected his contract on June 21.
How to watch: Twins at Diamondbacks (June 21)
- Matchup: Minnesota Twins (37-41) at Arizona Diamondbacks (39-37)
- When: Sunday, June 21, 2026 — 3:15 p.m. ET (12:15 p.m. local in Phoenix)
- Where: Chase Field, Phoenix
- TV/Stream: Peacock (MLB Sunday Leadoff, streaming exclusive) and NBCSN — blacked out on local feeds and the MLB app
- Probable starters: RHP Mike Paredes (MIN, 4.20 ERA) vs. RHP Jose Cabrera (ARI) — MLB debut
- Radio: Twins — WCCO 830, The Wolf 102.9 FM, TIBN, Audacy App | D-backs — Arizona Sports 98.7 FM, La Campesina 101.9 FM / 860 AM
Minnesota Twins pitcher Mike Paredes winds up to deliver to the Texas Rangers in a baseball game in Arlington, Texas, Monday, June 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
What’s at stake
It’s the rubber game of a wild three-game set: Arizona took the opener 9-5, Minnesota answered with a 16-8 demolition on Saturday. The Twins (4.5 back in the AL Central) ride a lineup powered by Byron Buxton, who’s mashed 24 homers with a .927 OPS. The Diamondbacks (9.5 back in the NL West) counter with NL standout Corbin Carroll (.918 OPS) — and now, the story of a Dominican kid getting his first big-league look on Father’s Day, in front of what should be a packed Chase Field.
