SAN DIEGO — Right-hander Corbin Burnes’ placement on the injured list leaves the Diamondbacks without a starter for what likely will be a must-win game on Saturday, Sept. 26.
The Diamondbacks might have some early help, because the Tampa Bay Rays led the Philadelphia Phillies, 2-0, in the seventh inning. Philadelphia's magic number to clinch is two, so a Phillies loss would ensure that Saturday's games are relevant.
Manager Torey Lovullo suggested Friday's game likely will be some kind of a bullpen game, though whether the team needs a reliever to pitch bulk innings depends on how they get through the series opener.
“We have a couple plans in place,” Lovullo said. “Plan A is to get through tonight’s game and do everything we can to win tonight’s game.
It’s all hands on deck.
“The tomorrow thing is a conversation we’ll have after this game. Who’s available, who hasn’t been used, who has been used, do we need a bulk guy, do we go full throttle with nine different relievers? We’ll figure that out. We’ve got to get through tonight and that’s our main plan.”
If the club needs bulk innings, there are several options. Right-hander Jose Cabrera was recalled from Triple-A Reno to take Burnes’ place on the roster. The club also has veteran starters Zac Gallen and Ryne Nelson occupying spots in the bullpen, though Nelson does not appear to be an option to pitch more than two innings, Lovullo said.
Another possibility, Lovullo said, is for left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez to log an inning in relief. Lovullo said that could happen either Saturday or Sunday.
“At some point he’s going to be available for us out of the bullpen and he’s going to be standing down in the bullpen over the next couple of days,” Lovullo said. “That’s a true teammate.”
Diamondbacks at Padres, 6:40 p.m., Cox, Ch. 34
Diamondbacks RHP Brandon Pfaadt (7-3, 3.72) vs. Padres RHP Casey Mize (6-9, 3.96).
At Petco Park: Pfaadt wraps up the regular season having become a solid part of the starting rotation. He pitched just 4 1/3 innings in his last start against the Yankees at home. ... Mize was a deadline pickup by the Padres from the Detroit Tigers, where he went 4-6 with a 2.70 ERA before the trade. With the Padres, he has been inconsistent, with a 2-3 record and 6.64 ERA. The Diamondbacks lit up Mize at Chase Field on Aug. 5, knocking him out of the game after 3 1/3 innings with eight runs off him. This would be the third start of the season for Mize against the Diamondbacks, as he faced them on March 31, going six innings, allowing one run, with nine strikeouts.
Coming up
Saturday, Sept. 26: At San Diego, 5:40 p.m., Diamondbacks TBA vs. Padres RHP Walker Buehler (9-6, 4.56).
Sunday, Sept. 27: At San Diego, 12:10 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Michael Soroka (9-5, 3.31) vs. Padres TBA.
End of regular season.
(This story has been updated to add information.)
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Diamondbacks-Padres live. Wild-card update, and who takes Burnes' start?
