PHOENIX — The Dontrelle Willis experiment is over for the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The team designated the big left-hander for assignment Sunday and recalled young left-handed reliever Jorban Norberto from Triple-A Reno.
In his brief time with Arizona, Willis had the same control problems that plagued him in Detroit.
The Diamondbacks acquired Willis from the Tigers on June 1 for right-hander Billy Buckner, with Detroit picking up most of the pitcher's $12 million salary. In six games with Arizona, five as a starter, Willis was 1-1 with a 6.85 ERA. He struck out 13 and walked 27 in 22 1-3 innings.
Recently moved to the bullpen, his only appearance as a reliever was Saturday night, when he gave up three runs on three hits in one inning of Arizona's 14-1 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers.