Seth Frankoff to make spot start for D-backs on Saturday

The Arizona Diamondbacks will give a spot start to right-handed pitcher Seth Frankoff on Saturday against the Washington Nationals.

Frankoff was called up on Wednesday after Zac Gallen was placed on the 10-day injured list. Over four appearances (three starts) in spring training this year, Frankoff had a 6.17 ERA and 1.54 WHIP across 11.2 inning.

D-backs manager Torey Lovullo said on Friday the move was about filling in gaps and also giving his core guys an extra day of rest.

With injuries to Taylor Widener and Gallen, the rotation currently sits at Madison Bumgarner up top, followed by Gallen’s spot, Merrill Kelly, Widener’s position and Luke Weaver.

In Widener’s three missed outings, Riley Smith has held that spot and will continue to for the fourth time on Friday night against Washington.

As for Gallen’s, right-hander Matt Peacock filled in on Wednesday.

Lovullo would go on to say that he’s not ruling out Frankoff earning a spot, but that the intention for now is Frankoff getting this one look outside the rotation.

Frankoff has three career games pitched in the majors, one in 2017 with the Chicago Cubs and two more last season for the Seattle Mariners. In between those two stints, Frankoff spent two years in the Korea Baseball Organization from 2018-19.

The D-backs’ meeting with the Nationals on Friday is at 6:40 p.m. on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station.

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