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D-backs sifting through multiple options in crowded bullpen
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Even with five pitchers sent to the minor leagues on Tuesday, there remains some serious winnowing for manager Torey Lovullo and his staff to accomplish in the 16 days remaining in the Cactus League schedule.
Of those sent down Tuesday, the most significant was left-handed pitcher Anthony Banda, regarded as the team's No. 1 prospect. He was optioned to Triple-A Reno after pitching four scoreless innings in two Cactus League appearances and allowing just one base-runner.
Lovullo said Banda's future as a starting pitcher outweighs any consideration to keeping him around as a reliever.
"He's going to be a special piece in this puzzle, we told him that," Lovullo said. "Down the line he's going to be one of our guys, and we don't want to hinder that development ."
Lefties Jared Miller and Daniel Gibson and right-handers Jimmie Sherfy and Frank Duncan were also reassigned, but there are still 27 pitchers in camp. Three are recovering from injuries -- Rubby De La Rosa, Steve Hathaway and Silvino Bracho -- but even so, there's a crowd to sift through.
Complicating the process is the question of how many lefties Lovullo wants in the bullpen mix, and whether the runners-up in the battle for the starting rotation would be better served starting in the minor leagues or working out of the 'pen.
It was generally believed at the start of camp that right-handers Fernando Rodney, Randall Delgado and Jake Barrett were the closest to sure things in the bullpen, but Lovullo's seen just one inning from Rodney-- due to his participation in the World Baseball Classic -- and none from Barrett, who's been sidelined since the start of camp with shoulder tightness.
Meanwhile, he's gotten a long look at non-roster candidates like J.J. Hoover and Tom Wilhelmsen and Rule 5 draftee Tyler Jones.
"They're making our decision very tough," Lovullo said. "There's a bunch of them that are right in the mix. I don't want to name names, because it's pretty much everybody. "
Barrett threw a 20-pitch session on flat ground Monday, had another scheduled for Wednesday and said the next step will be a bullpen on Friday. He's hopeful that he can get enough work to be ready for Opening Day.
"I'm feeling great," Barrett said. "I'll throw a bullpen on Friday; other than that, I'll go from there. I want to be out there, but I trust the program they have me on."
Lovullo said: "It's going to be close. We're going to continue to ramp him up but we're going to proceed with caution."
With Hathaway (shoulder) sidelined, there are four healthy left-handers in the mix -- Andrew Chafin and non-roster invitees Jorge De La Rosa, Brian Matusz and T.J. McFarland, who has yet to pitch in a game.
Chafin pitched 75 innings out of the bullpen in 2015 but was limited to 22 2/3 innings last season thanks to a two-month stint on the disabled list with shoulder tendinitis. His ERA jumped from 276 as a rookie to 6.75 last year.
In five appearances this spring covering five innings, Chafin has limited opponents to three hits and one earned run. He's struck out five with no walks.
"I came into this spring with the intention that I'm fighting to make the team," he said. "I think that will help me push myself and push other guys as well. Just go out and pitch, be myself, and everything will play out the way it's supposed to."
Chafin was the only lefty in the pen for much of last season. Though he appeared in only 32 games, he warmed up in many others. In the process, he says he learned some things about preparation.
"I learned a good bit last year as far as what I need to do on a daily basis to maintain where I'm at more so than overwork myself," Chafin said. "There's a fine line in there, and it's one of those things that takes years to figure it out. It's trial and error, but you just have to figure out what works for you."
Chafin said he can't control how often he's asked to warm up, but he can change his warmup routine.
"It depends on the day and how I'm feeling, but I think on average , play light catch before I hop on the bump, and then it's 8 to 10 throws and then I'll be good to go," he said. "Last year it was a case that I'd get hot, and then I just kept throwing instead of idling it back and pacing. I think you can definitely get more quality with less quantity."
Chafin has again towed his 42-foot fifth-wheel recreational vehicle with him to Arizona to serve as his in-season home.
"Hopefully it stays in the same spot all year," he said. "It's a suitable size, it's comfortable, and I'm where I wanted to be -- away from everybody else. A little peace and quiet and a little reset button on a daily basis."
