Josh Collmenter took a demotion to the bullpen on Friday, but the Arizona Diamondbacks hope the move will give them options in the long run.
Following a 1-0 win over the San Francisco Giants, manager Chip Hale announced the team will recall right-hander Allen Webster from Triple-A Reno to take Collmenter's start Saturday afternoon, opposite Giants righty Ryan Vogelsong.
Webster, 25, has pitched in just five games for the Reno Aces after he was placed on the disabled list with shoulder fatigue in mid-April. In three games since his return, he allowed eight runs in 16 innings, six of those coming in his last outing. He allowed six or more runs in three outings this year.
"(Webster's) got good stuff, he's had mixed results in Reno," Hale told reporters at AT&T Park. "We're going to give these guys a shot. It's time to see what we have."
The D-backs acquired Webster and Rubby De La Rosa from the Boston Red Sox in the Wade Miley trade in December.
"I wouldn't say anything's permanent at this point," Hale added. "We're going to keep doing what it takes to find five guys that can be successful."
Collmenter could earn his starting job back by developing velocity -- which Hale said dropped off -- and better command. He was 3-6 this season in 12 starts with a 5.24 ERA, and he struggled recently by allowing home runs in six of his last seven games.
The team believes Collmenter can clean up his stuff with bullpen work while giving the group an experienced, long-relief pitcher. The hope is the D-backs will be able to operate with 12 pitchers on the 25-man roster, allowing for a position player to be added, Hale said.
To add Webster to the major league roster, the D-backs must open a spot on Saturday.
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