Delgado to start in place of Walker

Manager Torey Lovullo said Randall Delgado will start Wednesday in place of starter Taijuan Walker, who has been placed on the 10-day disabled list (finger blister).

Lovullo said the Diamondbacks felt it was best to make Wednesday’s game a “bullpen game” rather than call up a starter from the minor leagues. He said Delgado, who is 1-0 with a 4.05 ERA, was picked to start because he has been stretched out in the bullpen and could give Arizona multiple innings. He said Delgado won’t be on a pitch count.

“We felt like he was going to be the most prepared guy for that moment,” Lovullo said. “He’s had some extended outings and he’s been throwing the ball very, very well.”

Lovullo said no decision has been made as to who will get the ball for Walker’s second scheduled start.

Pollock’s return uncertain

Center fielder A.J. Pollock, on the 10-day disabled list since May 15 with a strained right groin, is feeling better and has done some light running but Lovullo didn’t make it sound as if Pollock will be ready to be activated later this week.

“The next steps are to get him with a bat in his hand and take some batting practice,” Lovullo said. “Everything is progressing very well. Is it going to happen on the 11th day that he steps in and plays a game? At this point I’m not sure. We want A.J. back as soon as possible but we’re not going to do it before it’s the right time.”

Milk men

Relievers Archie Bradley, J.J. Hoover and Andrew Chafin will compete in a cow-milking competition Tuesday before batting practice to kick off the Grand Slam Milk Drive program.

Lovullo was asked who he thought would win the contest and he actually took several seconds to think about it.

“Hoover,” he finally said. “Because he has a farm and I know he has several cows. He’s a cow owner which doesn’t necessarily mean he’s going to know how to milk the cows but I feel like knowing J.J., I feel very strongly that he and his wife know how to do that.”

Asked how many gallons he believes Hoover could get from the cow, Lovullo smiled and said, “Oh my God, I don’t know.”