PHOENIX -- Buck Showalter once said the greatest thing about a domed stadium is that a manager does not have to worry about his pitching plans. He was talking about days like this.
For the second day in a row, the D-backs were rained out in Colorado on Tuesday, and it will create some uncertainty in their starting rotation at the end of the week.
Josh Collmenter will try for the third time in as many days to start against the Rockies in the first game of a doubleheader starting at noon at Coors Field on Wednesday, and rookie Robbie Ray is scheduled to start the second game as the teams try to make up one of the two missed games. Ray was originally slated to start Tuesday's game as a fill in for Archie Bradley, who went on the disabled list a week ago.
Starters Rubby De La Rosa, Jeremy Hellickson and Chase Anderson could pitch on regular rest in the first three games of the San Diego series that begins Thursday at Chase Field, but the trickle down effect of the lost days Monday and Tuesday will mean the D-backs will not have a starter available on regular rest for the final game against the Padres on Sunday.
"We could either go short rest with Robbie Ray or Josh, or we could call somebody up, or it could be the same situation moving up to (the expected Ray start Tuesday), where we could consider (Andrew) Chafin, (Randall) Delgado or (Daniel) Hudson," general manager Dave Stewart said.
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Vidal Nuno, who is 2-2 with a 3.19 ERA at Triple-A Reno, would appear to be the most likely recall candidate, but the easiest option as far as the roster goes would be to have Chafin, Delgado or Hudson start.
None of them have started a game this season, but all started in spring training. The D-backs would only expect five innings out of that starter, and of course all would depend on how the D-backs' bullpen made it through the first three games of the San Diego series. Chafin, used as a longer reliever, has gone three, 2-2/3 and 2-1/3 innings in games this season. Delgado has had three two-inning stints.
The D-backs originally planned to give Ray two starts while Bradley recovers from his sinus fracture, but because of the rainout they likely will use only one start from him. Collmenter, De La Rosa and Hellickson could pitch regular rest for a three-game series against Washington next Monday-Wednesday, and the D-backs are off Thursday.
Bradley, who threw a bullpen session Monday, is tentatively expected to join the rotation when the D-backs begin a three-game series in Philadelphia on May 15.
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