D-BACKS NOTES Both Clarke, Duplantier in the running for a spot in Arizona’s starting rotation
SAN DIEGO – Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo was still not prepared to name a starting pitcher for the vacant spot left by right-hander Zack Godley, but minor-leaguers Taylor Clarke and Jon Duplantier remain the most intriguing options for the Diamondbacks.
Although Lovullo did not name a starter on Tuesday, he did say that the rotation spot would fall on Saturday, which means left-hander Robbie Ray will pitch on Friday. Since the Diamondbacks are off Thursday, Ray will still receive four days of rest.
Clarke, 26, has been pitching for Triple-A Reno for most of the season but did get his first MLB start on May 7 against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Duplantier, 24, has allowed three runs in 12 innings of big-league work this season.
In his start against the Rays, Clarke pitched six innings and allowed two runs in 2-1 loss for the Diamondbacks in St. Petersburg, Fla. He made his big-league debut on April 20 at Wrigley Field, pitching three scoreless innings for his first career save.
“That’s obviously a name we’re all familiar with, as we are with ‘Dup’ (Duplantier),” Lovullo said when asked about Clarke. “We feel very comfortable with both of those guys, but we dig a little deeper than that. But Clarke has thrown the ball extremely well every time he has come up here. It’s about landing in spots that are comfortable.
“Some guys have that mound presence. Whoever that is, on that day, is going to give us the best chance to win that game.”
Clarke pitched for the Aces on Monday, which would put him on track to pitch again on Saturday while the Diamondbacks are in San Francisco. Duplantier, who threw 60 pitches for the Aces on Saturday, is due to pitch again Thursday.
Clarke’s numbers in Reno might not be sexy — 7.22 ERA in seven starts — but few pitchers experience success pitching at Greater Nevada Field, and Clarke has shown an ability to be effective at the major-league level with his two appearances this season.
Duplantier has done the same, allowing runs in just one of his five appearances with the Diamondbacks this season. Duplantier has never made a start at the big-league level.
Said Lovullo, “If you’re asking me, ‘Is (Jon) a candidate?’ Then, yes. The pitch count is not a huge concern. We think he could give us 75 pitches if needed.”
While Clarke and Duplantier are candidates for Saturday’s start, Lovullo did not limit them as the club’s only options. Left-hander T.J. McFarland and righthander Matt Andriese are both capable of providing length out of the bullpen if needed.
“There’s obvious candidates and I know you guys are very well-versed in that,” Lovullo said. “We just need to look at it on the level we need to in order to figure out who it is.”
Flores to IL
Diamondbacks infielder Wilmer Flores was placed on the 10-day injured list Tuesday with a right-foot contusion. In a corresponding move, infielder Ildemaro Vargas was recalled from Triple-A Reno.
Flores took a pitch off the top of his right foot during Sunday’s game at Chase Field and was held out of the lineup for the second straight game Tuesday.
“He is still day-to-day,” Lovullo said, noting that a healthy Flores would have drawn the start against Padres left-hander Matt Strahm on Tuesday.
Lovullo said running has been the most painful activity for Flores, who has been walking gingerly in the Diamondbacks clubhouse since the team arrived in San Diego.