GLENDALE, Ariz. -- The Diamondbacks optioned Trevor Bauer to the minor leagues on Friday while keeping left-handers Tyler Skaggs and Patrick Corbin for at least one more look.
Bauer, rated the No. 9 overall prospect by Baseball America, was assigned to Class AA Mobile, where he finished last season.
"He just needs professional innings," general manager Kevin Towers said.
"For his debut in big league camp, I thought he did a nice job. We were very happy with his progress and the way he competed. He made a solid first impression on the coaching staff."
Skaggs, the No. 13 prospect, is scheduled to pitch Saturday, although it has not been determined if it will be in relief or as a starter. He could start the major league game against Kansas City if Trevor Cahill starts in a minor league game, as Ian Kennedy did last week.
Corbin also will have at least one more outing, manager Kirk Gibson said.
It is not that Skaggs and Corbin are ahead of Bauer, Towers said, just that they have more experience after both signing in 2009.
"Both those guys have been through the rigors of a spring training preparing for a season, so they are a little more accustomed to what they have to do to get ready. For (Bauer), this is all new for him," Towers said.
Bauer had a 3.60 ERA in 10 innings, striking out nine and walking one. Skaggs has a 7.94 ERA, having given up five runs in 5 2/3 innings. Corbin has an 0.84 ERA along with 12 strikeouts in 10 2/3 innings.
While Skaggs and Corbin have drawn good reviews, Gibson said it is likely both pitchers will start in the minor leagues if the rest of the staff is healthy.
YOUNG PRIMED FOR BIG YEAR?
Chris Young hit his third home run of the spring in a 6-3 loss to the Chicago White Sox on Friday, tying Ryan Roberts for the team lead. Young also has four doubles, and Gibson likes his new approach at the plate, citing an RBI single against the Cubs on an outside pitch last week as an example.
"He could be a monster offensively," said Gibson, who has always admired the way Young plays through injury, as he did last year.
"He’s really come a long way in his swing path, his approach and his thought process. I think he understands what he has to do and now it’s just up to him to implement it consistently in the game. I see him staying on more pitches on the outside part of the plate.
"He had a much shorter swing path before, with the bat in and out of the zone. You stay with it and you can get more length. They’re going to fool you sometimes, but maybe you keep it in long enough to get a foul ball. Then you stay alive and they make a mistake and you pound it. That’s how it works."
Young hit .236 with 38 doubles, 20 home runs and 22 stolen bases last year, his third 20-20 season.
DREW TO OPEN ON DL
Stephen Drew is making progress running the bases, but Towers said it is "more than likely" that Drew will open the season on the disabled list, with another infielder filling his roster spot rather than a fifth outfielder.
"We haven’t even scheduled a time when he is going to get in a game yet," Towers said. "To expect him to be ready to play nine innings without having at least 10 to 15 games is going to be tough. I think he understands that.
"He’s progressing. He hasn’t had any setbacks. It was a pretty significant injury. It’s going to take some time. As long as he’s progressing and not regressing, that’s a positive sign."
SATURDAY PROBABLES
Right-hander Trevor Cahill (0-3, 7.88 ERA) is scheduled to make his fourth spring start against Royals left-hander Jonathan Sanchez (0-1, 21.00) at 7:10 p.m. at Salt River Fields on Saturday, although the D-backs were considering starting Cahill in a minor league game instead. Traditionally a slow spring starter, Cahill has given up 11 hits and four home runs in eight innings. Sanchez, a former division rival in San Francisco, was traded to Kansas City in the Melky Cabrera deal.
Skaggs, right-hander Brad Ziegler and left-hander Mike Zagurski also are scheduled to pitch for the D-backs, although Skaggs would start against Kansas City if Cahill goes to the minor league side.
NOTES
Towers reiterated that he has no plans to trade Gerardo Parra, despite persistent interest. "Some people inquired early, and we shut it down," Towers said. "We’re a better team with him, and we plan on keeping him. He’s playing real well this spring." ... There is no urgency to talk to Ian Kennedy and Daniel Hudson about long-term contracts, Towers said. "I don’t anticipate anything happening with either of them before the start of the season," he said. … Joe Saunders gave up four runs in three innings in his fourth start while working on his changeup to left-handed hitters. He gave up two doubles to A.J. Pierzynski and a single on the pitch, and said he will "bag it" going forward. "That’s a tough pitch for me. Trying something new, seeing how hitters react to a different pitch. It is tough for you to throw because it kind of runs back on the plate," Saunders said. ... Prospect Charles Brewer was another of the eight players optioned or reassigned Friday, when the D-backs trimmed their major league camp to 37 players. Brewer and third baseman Matt Davidson were reassigned to Mobile, Sam Demel, Barry Enright and David Winfree were optioned to Class AAA Reno, and Rusty Ryal and Chris Jakubauskas were reassigned to Reno.
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