Diamondbacks RHP Shelby Miller back to Single-A Visalia for next rehab start

PHOENIX – An argument can be made that there is no better starting rotation in all of Single-A baseball than in Visalia.

At least this week, anyway.

Right-handed pitcher Shelby Miller will start Saturday’s game, according to Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo. It will be Miller’s fourth rehab start and second with Visalia.

“I’ve been speaking with him and he feels fantastic. He looks great, feels great so I think he’ll be ready for that challenge,” Lovullo said Thursday, ahead of the D-backs series opener with the New York Mets.

Miller, recovering from Tommy John surgery, made his most recent rehab start with Double-A Jackson on Sunday, and the numbers were not good.

Limited to 65 pitches, Miller lasted just three innings. During those three innings, he allowed eight runs, including five in the first, on 10 hits with two walks and four strikeouts.

The D-backs want to see Miller go six innings and 85 pitches on Saturday.

His appearance with Visalia will come two days after Robbie Ray steps on the Rawhide mound.

Ray, who has been on the disabled list since April with a strained right oblique, is due to make his first rehab start Thursday night. Also on Thursday, reliever Randall Delgado is scheduled to throw two innings for Triple-A Reno.

Delgado has yet to appear in a game this season because of a left oblique strain and soreness in his shoulder.

“Hopefully that goes well,” Lovullo said, referring to the Ray and Delgado outings.

Meanwhile, it was a day of strength and conditioning for both injured outfielders A.J. Pollock and Steven Souza Jr.

Pollock will have another CT scan on his broken left thumb on Monday, Lovullo said.

“I’m sure they have a percentage (of how much the break has healed) and they can tell exactly from one (scan) to the next, but I don’t get wrapped up in that,” he said. “I just want to know when he’s healthy and when is it time to take the next step. It’s been progressing in a very positive way, so there’s been healing each time.”

Souza Jr. took a day off from throwing, which he resumed on Wednesday. He did, though, take batting practice, something he has been doing on a regular basis.

The D-backs have only had Souza Jr. on the field for 14 games this season because of a right pectoral strain.

“Steven is in a good place offensively,” Lovullo said. “He can swing the bat. It’s just that range of motion and getting his shoulder strengthened up to throw a baseball.”

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