❚ Robbie Ray cautious about return from IL,
The Diamondbacks can exhale after left-hander Robbie Ray's MRI came back negative Thursday. Although Ray's early exit Wednesday was alarming, both Ray and manager Torey Lovullo said a cautious comeback from the 10-day injured list was the best option. Lovullo admitted his walk to the mound to pull Ray was filled with concern, as well as Ray's history with oblique injuries. In the end, both said they were quite relieved to hear that Ray should only be missing one appearance on the hill after being placed on the IL on Thursday.
Ray left his start before the third inning Wednesday against the Colorado Rockies with a familiar feeling in his lower back. It was the second time in August that back tightness interrupted a start.
During his outing Aug. 3 against the Washington Nationals, Ray didn't continue after five innings due to similar soreness. But he left after striking out five and allowing four runs on six hits.
As a result, Lovullo described Ray's diagnosis Wednesday as "heightened." Due to increased concern, Lovullo felt the 10-day IL was fitting, despite Ray telling him that he probably could have made his next start.
"We had to give him time to recuperate, instead of fast-forwarding things over the next four days, forcing a bullpen in the middle of therapy," Lovullo said Thursday. "We thought it would be good to let him recover and then build up towards the start from a fundamental and physical standpoint.”
Ray is projected to miss a start against the same Rockies, a three-game series that begins Aug. 19 at Chase Field.
"To hear that it’s not anything serious — no tear or strains is encouraging," Ray said. "I just want to have a normal workload before I get back into a game so that doesn’t turn into something bigger issue two or three starts down the road.”
Tough calls
Due to Ray's sudden exit after just two innings, the Diamondbacks bullpen needed to step up, despite fatigue. Lovullo said he loved his relievers' determination Wednesday, but knew an additional pitcher was needed.
With Ray headed to the IL, the Diamondbacks were able to recall righthanders Stefan Crichton and Jon Duplantier, while sending down outfielder Tim Locastro.
Lovullo called the decision to option Locastro to Triple-A Reno as "brutal." Locastro batted just .176 in August, but he hit his first career home run July 31 at Yankee Stadium.
“Tim is one of the main reasons why we’ve had some success when he’s in the lineup," Lovullo said. "It came down to us needing some extra pitching depth because of what we’ve went through. When you’re at that point in the roster, you’re going to run into this situation from time to time.”
Hometown kid
The trade that sent Zack Greinke to Houston brought back someone quite familiar with the Valley. Josh Rojas suited up in a Diamondbacks uniform Thursday for the first time at Chase Field, where he grew up watching the Diamondbacks play while growing up in Litchfield Park.
Rojas made his debut Monday and impressed throughout the series against the Rockies, which Lovullo said won't be the rookie's only showcase.
"He's going to get some turns," he said. "He's not here to sit the bench."
Rojas, a Glendale native, attended Goodyear Millennium High School and Paradise Valley Community College before signing with the University of Hawaii.