Diamondbacks place Taylor Clarke on 10-day IL, recall Kevin Cron

The depth of the Arizona Diamondbacks’ starting pitching took another hit on Wednesday when right-hander Taylor Clarke was placed on the 10-day IL with left back inflammation.

In a corresponding roster move, the team recalled first baseman Kevin Cron.

Clarke last pitched on Tuesday night in Los Angeles, going 3.2 innings and allowing three earned runs on five hits and three walks with one strikeout. He did not get a decision in the game as the D-backs, holding a 4-3 lead entering the ninth inning, lost 5-4.

Clarke tossed 71 pitches, 39 for strikes. His ERA on the season increased to 6.21, and he holds a WHIP of 1.571. On the positive side, he had allowed three earned runs or fewer in six of his nine starts this season. 

Because of the All-Star break that begins Monday and a day off on July 15, the D-backs may not need a replacement arm for Clarke for a while — even to the point where the 26-year-old would be eligible to come back off the IL before they’d need him again (though the severity of the injury wasn’t immediately known).

The D-backs have already seen injuries to several of their other starting pitchers. Jon Duplantier, a fellow rookie along with Clarke, has been on the IL since June 12 with right shoulder inflammation. Luke Weaver is listed as having a mild flexor pronator strain and a mild UCL sprain and has been on the 10-day IL since May 27. Taijuan Walker has been recovering from Tommy John since last year.

Zack Godley’s struggles this year had him moved to the bullpen, creating yet another hole in the rotation.

Alex Young, who had been starting in Triple-A Reno, was recently called up to make a start. After pitching five innings of one-run ball last week, the D-backs kept Young on the roster and the left-hander, coincidentally, pitched in relief for Clarke on Tuesday.

Cron has played 23 games for the D-backs’ big league club this year and has hit .213 with four home runs and 11 RBI in 52 plate appearances.

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