Former UNC star pitcher J.B. Bukauskas was called up to the major leagues on Sunday by the Arizona Diamondbacks, representing the first major-league call-up of his young career.

Bukauskas was called up from the team’s taxi squad after reliever Anthony Swarzak was designated for assignment.

The hard-throwing right-hander was a first-round pick by the Houston Astros (15th overall) in the 2017 MLB Draft after three years as a weekend starter for the Tar Heels.

He was then traded to the Diamondbacks in 2019 as part of a trade that sent ace Zack Greinke to Houston.

Arizona previously drafted Bukauskas in the 20th round as a high-schooler in 2014. He had been projected to go in the first two rounds that year also, but asked each MLB team not to draft him since he was intent on playing for the Tar Heels.

With the Diamondbacks, he’ll reunite with former UNC teammate Zac Gallen–who has blossomed into a star atop the Arizona pitching rotation.

Gallen and Bukauskas were the Friday and Saturday starters for the Tar Heels during the 2016 season.

Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said the role Bukauskas will fill out of the Diamondbacks’ bullpen has yet to be determined.

 

Photo via Associated Press

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