D-backs’ Lovullo on Godley’s struggles, Miller’s ‘imminent’ return

The Arizona Diamondbacks are going to have some decisions to make.

With Shelby Miller making his way back from Tommy John surgery and Robbie Ray continuing to recover from a right oblique strain, spots in the rotation might have to open up soon.

After Patrick Corbin and Zack Greinke, there are three names left in the rotation.

Right-hander Clay Buchholz doesn’t seem like a candidate to be taken out of the rotation anytime soon. In three starts, Buchholz has given up three earned runs over 18 innings for a 1.50 ERA.

Matt Koch has been up and down but has been exceeding expectations with a 3.76 ERA in nine starts.

Then there’s Zack Godley, who has a 5.12 ERA in 12 starts and has been on a skid lately.

Godley has given up at least four earned runs in four of his last six starts, including seven earned runs to the San Francisco Giants on Monday and six earned runs against the Milwaukee Brewers on May 23.

D-backs manager Torey Lovullo credits that to MLB teams figuring him out a bit.

“That’s why this league is so great,” he said on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station’s Burns & Gambo. “When you have success, players make adjustments to you and you gotta continue to make your own personal set of adjustments.”

As for a potential decision on the rotation, Lovullo said those discussions have not taken place yet.

“When and if that situation comes up — when Shelby is healthy, like I said, I feel like it’s imminent, it’s gonna happen — we’re gonna have to sit down and have some tough, challenging decisions. I don’t know,” he said.

“Where it lands certain guys, we haven’t even thought about that right now.”

Lovullo said that everyone in the front office has it on their minds, but the conversations will take place once they know Miller is ready to return.

Miller made his second rehab start with Double-A Jackson on Monday, pitching 4.2 innings and allowing one run. The outing followed a successful extended spring game and an even more successful first rehab start at Single A Advanced Visalia.

“We don’t know what we’re going to do,” Lovullo said of what Miller’s role could be when he returns.

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