RHP Taylor Clarke to start for D-backs on Friday vs. Brewers

The Arizona Diamondbacks have been hit with injuries to their starting rotation all season, but one member will make a return soon when the team comes back from a road trip.

Right-hander Taylor Clarke will start against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday, manager Torey Lovullo told Burns & Gambo on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station on Tuesday.

The game is the second in a four-game series against Milwaukee, a set that begins a seven-game homestand after the D-backs finish a two-game series in Texas against the Rangers.

After making his MLB debut this year and going on to pitch 10 games (nine starts), Clarke went on the IL on July 3 with lower back inflammation. On July 13, he was sent on a rehab assignment with the Single-A Visalia Rawhide.

Despite a 6.21 ERA, Clarke has had bright moments in his debut season. The 26-year-old right-hander has allowed three earned runs or fewer in six of his nine starts and allowed just two runs in six innings in his first-ever MLB start on May 7.

Using the flexibility of the All-Star break, the D-backs had room to work with when it came to missing starters as of late. That said, Clarke’s return should be a welcome one.

Friday will be the first time in Clarke’s career that he’s faced the Brewers. Kids get in free to those games at Chase Field all series long.

EXTRA BASES

–RHP Luke Weaver (mild flexor pronator strain, mild UCL sprain) began a throwing program and has thrown up to 75 feet. He will get more imaging next week to see how things have progressed.

–RHP Jon Duplantier is going to throw 45 pitches this week in an attempt to get stretched out.

–Infielder Wilmer Flores played on Monday night in Triple-A Reno on a rehab assignment, getting several at-bats as he nears return.

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