D-backs option pitcher Zack Godley to add bullpen depth in Silvino Bracho
Jun 1, 2017, 4:21 PM
Arizona Diamondbacks' Zack Godley pitches to a Milwaukee Brewers batter during the first inning of a baseball game Friday, May 26, 2017, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Tom Lynn)
(AP Photo/Tom Lynn)
Zack Godley has done everything possible to remain in the Diamondbacks’ rotation, but Arizona optioned the right-hander to Triple-A on Thursday in order to add depth to a tiring bullpen.
Arizona recalled reliever Silvino Bracho to begin a four-game series against the Miami Marlins. In the minors, Bracho has a 1.62 ERA with three earned runs — all off home runs — along with six walks allowed in 16.2 innings (14 appearances).
However, Bracho has struggled in three appearances with Arizona this year. He’s allowed five earned runs in 2.1 innings, including two home runs and a walk.
The transaction is less about Godley’s production — he holds a 2.39 ERA in six starts with five consecutive starts of at least six innings — and more about the D-backs’ ability to skip him in the order over the next stretch of games.
They have days off on June 5, June 12, June 15 and June 19.
Arizona’s bullpen has been taxed of late. It lost Randall Delgado on May 24, when he became a temporary starter in place of injured pitcher Taijuan Walker, who could be near a return from the disabled list due to a blister on his index finger.
Walker was in line to start Sunday, though a scheduled bullpen session was pushed back on Thursday, reports AZ Central’s Nick Piecoro.
Regardless of Walker’s return date, Delgado was set to make his third start Saturday against the Marlins. Though he has stretched out and performed well, going 5.2 innings Monday, it has required more innings out of the rest of the bullpen.
On top of the additional innings needed to replace Walker, the D-backs have gone to extra innings in two of their past six games.
