D-backs continue auditions for Shelby Miller’s replacement
May 9, 2017, 4:02 PM | Updated: 8:25 pm
Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Zack Godley throws against the Cincinnati Reds during the first inning of a baseball game, Saturday, Aug. 27, 2016, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso)
(AP Photo/Ralph Freso)
There has been no rush by the Arizona Diamondbacks to name a permanent replacement for injured starting pitcher Shelby Miller.
As free agent veteran Doug Fister gets closer to inking a deal with a club — the D-backs are reportedly in the mix and FanRag’s Jon Heyman says it’ll likely be a National League team — Arizona will continue giving internal candidates opportunities to take the bull by the horns.
On Wednesday, Zack Godley will start his second MLB game this year after Braden Shipley earned the prior start in Miller’s stead.
D-backs manager Torey Lovullo admitted to Burns and Gambo on 98.7 FM, Arizona’s Sports Station, that it’s a fluid situation.
“I think the audition part of it is pretty accurate because what happens is when somebody goes down, in Shelby’s case, it’s time for somebody to step in and take advantage of the opportunity,” Lovullo said Tuesday. “We’re in the business where only the strong survive, so yes, we want guys to go out there and earn it.”
Lovullo told the media prior to Arizona’s Tuesday matchup against the Detroit Tigers he hoped Godley would pitch well enough to remain with the team for another MLB start the next time around the rotation.
“I’m just going to keep trying to approach it one day at a time and relish the fact that I’m here and I get the opportunity and from tomorrow I’ll go from there,” Godley said.
Godley, who will start opposite Detroit pitcher Matthew Boyd, showed decently in his first outing with the Diamondbacks on April 26, going five frames and allowing four hits, two earned runs with six strikeouts and three walks.
Shipley got the next open start and went four innings with six walks and three earned runs allowed.
Lovullo is not looking for world-beaters to win the job.
“We want Zack to embrace the start and see where this next start will take him,” Lovullo said. “We would love for him to do well understanding he doesn’t need to go out and throw nine scoreless just to stay here. He needs to go out and execute pitches, and that’s the most important thing.”
