Arizona Diamondbacks manager: Six-man rotation probably on the way

At this point in the season, 11 different pitchers have started at least one game for the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Down the stretch, that number may increase even more, as the D-backs appear to be heading for a six-man rotation, in part to cut down on the amount of innings some of the team’s young pitchers will throw this season.

“And at the same time, give others opportunities, give them a look, see how they seize the opportunity, I guess,” D-backs manager Kirk Gibson told Burns and Gambo Tuesday on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM.

Gibson pointed to Chase Anderson, who has amassed 122.1 innings this season — 92.1 of which have been in the major leagues — as someone who they want to see pitch into September but also have a lighter work load.

There’s also Josh Collmenter, who is on pace to throw a career-high amount of innings, and Wade Miley, who is inching closer to the 200-inning mark.

“Miley’s at 170, (and) he really wants to get to 200. That’s kind of a personal goal of his,” Gibson said.

The skipper added that adding one more member to the rotation is likely to lead to just one skipped start for each pitcher, and besides that, will also give each pitcher an extra day to recover between starts.

But when the time does come to add a sixth starter, Gibson said the team may turn to Randall Delgado or, if they decide to bring someone up from the minor leagues, probably Andrew Chafin.

Chafin started one game for the D-backs this season, allowing three hits and two walks while striking out three in five innings while earning a no decision against the Cleveland Indians on Aug. 13.

“As far as whether Archie (Bradley) or anybody else would come up, we’re not there yet,” Gibson said.

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