Walker shows off command of his fastball Next chapter

In dominating the San Diego Padres over eight innings on Thursday night, Diamondbacks right-hander Taijuan Walker used his fastball more than he had in any start this season. As the game went along, Walker said he saw no reason to throw much of anything else.

“It’s one of those things where if you don’t have to make an adjustment, don’t,” Walker said. “If they make an adjustment on you, then you have to make an adjustment back. But if they don’t, then you’ve got to keep doing it.”

Walker tied a career high with 11 strikeouts, eliciting 14 swings-andmisses on his fastball, including six in the eighth inning alone, when he struck out the side to end his outing. His fastball was sitting in the mid-90s and topped at 97 mph.

Walker said it was the best command he’s had of the pitch this season, which he attributed to the drills he’s been doing during his between-starts bullpen sessions.

“I’ve been doing a lot of dry work, a lot of work on my mechanics and getting my lower body (more involved),” he said. “It’s starting to seem like it’s paying off. There’s still a lot more work I’ve got to do and I’m still doing, but (Thursday night) was a step in the right direction.

No guarantees for D-Backs’ Barrett

Right-hander Jake Barrett might have been the club’s best reliever last season, but Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo didn’t say Barrett was assured of roster spot when he’s ready to return from the shoulder problems that set him back during spring training.

Barrett is scheduled to make an appearance on a rehab assignment with High-A Visalia on Saturday night. It will be his first outing in an official game environment; he made several appearances in recent weeks in extended spring training.

“At some point he’s going to be healthy and we’re going to have to make a decision,” Lovullo said.

When asked if Barrett will have a spot in the bullpen when he’s ready, Lovullo said, “I don’t know that answer. That hasn’t been talked about. Getting him healthy and evaluating him is probably our biggest priority right now.

Barrett posted a 3.49 ERA in 68 appearances last season, the best numbers of any pitcher who spent the whole year with the club.

Left-hander T.J. McFarland went from getting designated for assignment by the Orioles in February to joining the Diamondbacks’ bullpen on the brink of a critical series against the Rockies in late April – a climb he acknowledged as rewarding but also a journey that’s far from over.

“It doesn’t stop,” he said. “It continues, so I’m hoping to just kind of fill any type of role they need me to and do well.”

McFarland signed a minor-league deal with the team in March and called his transition to the organization “very smooth,” an adjustment no doubt eased along by the team’s strong start.

And the chance to win was the reason why McFarland decided to sign with the Diamondbacks.

“There was some interest from some other teams,” he said. “But I ended up choosing here because of the talented squad that I wanted to be a part of, and hopefully I did well enough to prove to them that I was deserving of a shot. I’m happy I did that.”

McFarland had yet to give up a run in seven outings with Reno, a span of 11 innings in which he allowed four hits and struck out nine. In parts of four seasons with the Orioles, McFarland, 27, posted a 4.27 ERA in 1981⁄3 innings.

“Had some success and found a rhythm,” McFarland said of his debut with Reno. “I was able to get a lot of work down there, too, so hopefully I can transition it here as well.”

Short hops

» Lovullo said he would be comfortable using right-hander Archie Bradley in the rotation the next time the club needs a fifth starter even if his pitch count would only be around 65.

» Outfielder Gregor Blanco, also on a rehab assignment with Visalia, went 1 for 4 with two RBIs, two strikeouts and a stolen base in his first game on Thursday night. Lovullo said Blanco will likely need somewhere between 20 and 40 at-bats before he’s a candidate for the big leagues.