Ahead of Friday's series opener in Miami, Diamondbacks manager Kirk Gibson said Josh Collmenter might be shifted to the bullpen instead of making his scheduled start on Monday.
Collmenter's struggles began in spring training and have carried over to the season, which has seen the right-hander allow 20 runs in 18 1/3 innings. The D-backs are 1-3 in Collmenter's four starts, and the lone win required a rally from six runs down.
"We may move him into the bullpen; it's in consideration," Gibson told reporters. "It's kind of a day-by-day thing. We're considering other options.
"We'll probably make a decision by (Saturday)."
After giving up 10 earned runs in seven innings to open the season, Collmenter showed improvement over his next two starts. Still, in those outings he gave up a combined 10 runs in 11 1/3 innings.
Gibson was asked after Collmenter's last start when he would need to start seeing results along with the improvement, and he responded that he believed the results were there. He backed off a bit the following day.
"The results haven't been there," Gibson said, expressing concern over the six home runs Collmenter has allowed. "That means something."
If Collmenter is moved out of the rotation, the most likely replacement would come from the D-backs' minor-league system. The D-backs have a number of elite pitching prospects, but there are a couple logical options based on scheduling and rest.
Left-hander Patrick Corbin would likely be the first choice considered, and he made his last start on the same day as Collmenter. After impressing the D-backs in spring training, Corbin opened the season with Double-A Mobile by going 2-0 with a 1.67 ERA in four starts.
Tyler Skaggs would be on regular rest Monday as well. In his first four starts, Skaggs is 0-2 with a 4.24 ERA.
Gibson also said Friday that left-hander Wade Miley would make a second start on Sunday in place of injured Daniel Hudson. Miley threw six shutout innings in his first turn in place of Hudson (right shoulder impingement).
