Still looking for the right mix in the starting rotation, the Diamondbacks optioned right-hander Mike Bolsinger to the minor leagues Tuesday. His successor is yet to be determined -- or at least announced
The D-backs recalled right-hander Chase Anderson from Double-A Mobile in a corresponding move, but manager Kirk Gibson said that move was made to address an immediate need in the bullpen and stopped short of saying Anderson will join the rotation.
"As far as a starter to take Bolsinger's place, we really don't need to decide that until next Tuesday," Gibson said Tuesday afternoon. "We're considering our options there. A lot depends on what happens the next couple of days. I don't have any other names for you right now. Some of the guys in Triple-A we would consider."
The D-backs' other top starting candidate could be left-hander Randy Wolf, who is 4-1 with a 4.18 ERA in five starts at Triple-A Reno. Wolf had been pitching on the same day as Bolsinger until the last time through the rotation, when Wolf started Sunday and because of an off day Bolsinger went Monday. Bolinsger gave up four runs in five innings in an 8-3 loss to Milwaukee on Monday and was 1-2 with a 6.08 ERA in five appearances and four starts since replacing Trevor Cahill in the rotation April 14.
Chase Anderson
Anderson is 4-2 with an 0.69 ERA in six starts in Mobile, where he has given up three earned runs and 22 hits in 39 innings. He has 38 strikeouts and six walks, and his only two losses came in the games in which he gave up runs. Anderson, 26, was tied for the Southern League lead in strikeouts and had thrown 18 consecutive scoreless innings when he was recalled.
"We had no length in the bullpen," Gibson said.
Long reliever Randall Delgado pitched an inning Sunday and Monday, and fellow long man Trevor Cahill pitched two innings Monday. Neither appears to be an option to return to the rotation.
The D-backs lost No. 1 starter Patrick Corbin to season-ending Tommy John surgery in mid-March, and the rotation has been a sore point since. The D-backs' rotation entered Monday's game with major league highs in ERA (5.77) and home runs (30). Their 10 quality starts were 29th in the league.
"We're in day-to-day mode right now," Gibson said.
The D-backs will not need a fifth starter until May 13 because of an off day Thursday. Bronson Arroyo is to start the final game of the Milwaukee series on Wednesday, and Brandon McCarty and Wade Miley are scheduled to pitch the first two games of the D-backs' weekend series at the Chicago White Sox. Josh Collmenter and Arroyo could pitch Sunday and Monday on their normal four days' rest. The D-backs begin a six-game homestand against Monday, with the first game of a three-game series against Matt Williams and Washington.
J.J. Putz was to get an MRI on his right forearm in Phoenix on Tuesday after he was placed on the disabled list Monday, when Evan Marshall was recalled from Double-A Mobile. Putz felt pain when he last pitched Saturday, Gibson said. Putz is 1-0 with a 5.40 ERA in 13 appearances and has used on back-to-back days only once this season.
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