With Zack Godley rolling, D-backs out of Doug Fister pursuit

The Arizona Diamondbacks were one of the teams identified as being interested in signing free agent starting pitcher Doug Fister.

However, it doesn’t look like Fister will be wearing the Sedona Red anytime soon, according to Jack Magruder of FanRag Sports.

#Dbacks probably out of Fister sweepstakes, Hazen said.

— Jack Magruder (@JackMagruder) May 15, 2017

Pursuing Fister seemed like a logical plan for the D-backs, who have been searching for a replacement for fifth starter Shelby Miller, who’s out for the next 15 months after undergoing Tommy John surgery.

After all, Fister has been a reliable mid-rotation arm for the last six seasons. Since 2011, the 33-year-old has gone 68-58 with a 3.48 ERA for Seattle, Detroit, Washington and Houston.

But with Arizona moving on, it looks more and more like right-hander Zack Godley is seizing that fifth starter spot.

Godley got his third start of the season Monday night, and was in control again, allowing just one hit and one run over 6.2 innings in a 7-3 D-backs’ win over the New York Mets at Chase Field. He did walk five, but struck out seven and induced 11 ground-ball outs.

“The pace was set by Zack, who gave us six and two-thirds of good baseball again on a night when we really needed it,” manager Torey Lovullo said after the game. “We were a little bit down. I know it wasn’t a perfect outing for him — he had five walks — but the bottom line is he went out there, gave up one hit and kept them in check by making pitches when he had to.”

Godley didn’t get the win, as the D-backs exploded for six runs in the eighth, after he had left the game. But Arizona has won the last two games he has started, and both of his outings have helped the Diamondbacks snap losing skids.

“I didn’t have my greatest stuff, but I battled through some tough innings with some walks, and the defense played outstanding behind me again,” Godley said.

Lovullo has already committed to Godley for another start when his turn comes up Sunday at San Diego.

“As of now, yes, he’ll be the starter in five days,” the manager said.

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