‘Wiggle’ in Bracho’s motion key to reliever’s recent improvement DH day off?

Reliever Silvino Bracho has quietly had two encouraging outings since his fourth call-up this season on June 8, allowing just one hit over 22⁄3 innings while striking out three. That’s a far cry from his first outing for Arizona this year, when he was shelled for three runs in 1⁄3 of an inning on April 24 and was optioned to Triple-A Reno two days later.

One reason for the improvement: About a month ago Bracho incorporated a “wiggle” into his pitching motion. After coming to a set position, he wiggles his glove in an attempt to change his timing and make hitters more uncomfortable at the plate.

“When I got sent down I got down in my mind and decided to try to do something different to get people out,” Bracho said. “I’m trying to change the tempo for the hitter.”

Bracho admitted it was tough to get hit hard in his first appearance and then almost immediately get sent back to the minors.

“I had to keep my mind focused,” he said. “Because if I lose my mind I can’t do my job.”

Bracho pitched well in Reno, striking out 30 batters in 17 2/3 innings with a 1.53 ERA while holding hitters to a .148 batting average. Manager Torey Lovullo had enough confidence in Bracho that he had him ready to go in the bullpen in the sixth inning on Thursday with the Diamondbacks holding a one-run lead over the Padres.

“I think young players overall have a very tough time walking into the environment and doing well right off the bat,” Lovullo said.

“Sometimes just with my experience when you don’t do well your thoughts kind of wander into, ‘Oh my God, I’m getting sent out after the game.’ You start going in the wrong direction from a mental standpoint.

“Maybe that was something he was doing, maybe losing focus pitch to pitch. But he has responded and thrown the ball very, very well.”

Walker's next pitch

The Diamondbacks’ starting rotation is unsettled after Zack Greinke’s start on Tuesday in Detroit but it appears Taijuan Walker will be getting the ball fairly soon.

Lovullo said Walker threw a bullpen session Saturday that included him taking the protective tape off his blister and that the session “went well.” He said the Diamondbacks will use the next 24 hours to determine the next step for Walker, but when asked if that step would be a major-league start, Lovullo said, “That would be the best-case scenario, correct.”

Walker hasn’t pitched since May 19. His return would give the Diamondbacks six starters. Also muddling the rotation plans: Arizona has three days off in the next nine days.

Lovullo said he hasn’t decided whom his designated hitters will be in the two games at Detroit but he was leaning toward giving Paul Goldschmidt a rest from playing first base.

“I think it would be a nice way for Goldy to play a game and get him off his feet a little bit,” Lovullo said. “I haven’t told him that. I’ll probably need to as soon as I get out of this room.”

Pollock update

Lovullo said center fielder A.J. Pollock ran “close to 100 percent” before Saturday’s game, including making some gradual turns.

“The next couple of days he’s going to ramp up that activity,” Lovullo said. “The fact he was feeling good and running close to 100 percent was very encouraging to me.”

There’s still no timetable for Pollock’s return or a rehabilitation assignment.