• Zack Greinke on impressive outing vs. Rockies

    Zack Greinke on impressive outing vs. Rockies

  • Manager Torey Lovullo after win over Rockies

    Manager Torey Lovullo after win over Rockies

  • Manager Torey Lovullo after D-Backs lose series vs. Nationals

    Manager Torey Lovullo after D-Backs lose series vs. Nationals

  • Braden Shipley after walking six in loss to Nationals

    Braden Shipley after walking six in loss to Nationals

  • D-Backs' Torey Lovullo after loss to Nationals

    D-Backs’ Torey Lovullo after loss to Nationals

  • Diamondbacks' Robbie Ray strikes out 10 in loss to Nationals

    Diamondbacks’ Robbie Ray strikes out 10 in loss to Nationals

  • Torey Lovullo on D-Backs' 6-3 win over Nationals

    Torey Lovullo on D-Backs’ 6-3 win over Nationals

  • Taijuan Walker on his short start vs. Nationals

    Taijuan Walker on his short start vs. Nationals

  • Shot Clock: Rockets sizzle, D-Backs fizzle?

    Shot Clock: Rockets sizzle, D-Backs fizzle?

  • A.J. Pollock on controversial play: "You guys saw the replay"

    A.J. Pollock on controversial play: “You guys saw the replay”

  • Descalso talks about walk-off home run over Rockies

    Descalso talks about walk-off home run over Rockies

  • Lovullo on pitching, more in D-Backs' wild win

    Lovullo on pitching, more in D-Backs’ wild win

  • Corbin discusses his scoreless outing vs. Rockies

    Corbin discusses his scoreless outing vs. Rockies

  • Fernando Rodney talks about his latest blown save

    Fernando Rodney talks about his latest blown save

  • Zack Greinke after outing vs. Rockies

    Zack Greinke after outing vs. Rockies

  • D-Backs' Shelby Miller to have Tommy John surgery

    D-Backs’ Shelby Miller to have Tommy John surgery

  • Diamondbacks fall 3-1 to Rockies

    Diamondbacks fall 3-1 to Rockies

  • Chris Owings on his two-homer night

    Chris Owings on his two-homer night

  • D-Backs' Taijuan Walker on his 11-strikeout performance vs. Padres

    D-Backs’ Taijuan Walker on his 11-strikeout performance vs. Padres

  • D-Backs' Shelby Miller considering Tommy John surgery

    D-Backs’ Shelby Miller considering Tommy John surgery

  • Fernando Rodney reacts to his blown save against the Padres

    Fernando Rodney reacts to his blown save against the Padres

  • Torey Lovullo reacts to Diamondbacks' 'heartbreaking' loss

    Torey Lovullo reacts to Diamondbacks’ ‘heartbreaking’ loss

  • Diamondbacks attendance hits new low

    Diamondbacks attendance hits new low

  • Diamondbacks pull away from Padres for 9-3 win

    Diamondbacks pull away from Padres for 9-3 win

  • Diamondbacks hold on for win over Padres

    Diamondbacks hold on for win over Padres

  • Shelby Miller on his injury, visit with team doctor

    Shelby Miller on his injury, visit with team doctor

  • Arizona Diamondbacks' Shelby Miller discusses arm injury

    Arizona Diamondbacks’ Shelby Miller discusses arm injury

  • David Peralta on his record-setting night

    David Peralta on his record-setting night

  • Robbie Ray reacts to Saturday's win over the Dodgers

    Robbie Ray reacts to Saturday’s win over the Dodgers

  • Diamondbacks use 9-run eighth to overwhelm Dodgers

    Diamondbacks use 9-run eighth to overwhelm Dodgers

  • Paul Goldschmidt on D-Backs' offense vs. Padres

    Paul Goldschmidt on D-Backs’ offense vs. Padres

  • Manager Torey Lovullo breaks down D-Backs' loss, road trip

    Manager Torey Lovullo breaks down D-Backs’ loss, road trip

When Gregor Blanco strained his oblique late in spring training, the veteran outfielder figured he’d be out a week, perhaps two at the most. Six weeks later, Blanco finally is back with the Diamondbacks, who selected his contract from Triple-A Reno on Friday.

“I didn’t think it was going to be that long, but I had a couple of setbacks,” Blanco said. “My back started hurting a little bit because of the same injury. But right now, everything is good to go.”

Not only did the injury delay his season, it led the Diamondbacks to release him from the minor league contract they gave him in the offseason, only to sign him back to a new deal shortly after.

MORE: Zack Greinke, Paul Goldschmidt rebounding for Diamondbacks

At the time, the club had to either add him to the major league roster or grant him his release. Prior to the injury Blanco had appeared to be a lock to make the roster. But the oblique complicated matters, and the club was no longer comfortable adding him immediately. 

But the Diamondbacks still wanted him to stay in the organization. And while Blanco could have gone elsewhere, he said leaving didn’t feel right.

“You’ve already set your goals with these guys and talked to them about how the season was going to go and how to be teammates and take care of each other, play for each other and try to win a championship,” Blanco said. “It’s hard to see yourself out of it. You have to re-think in your mind. But I wasn’t ready for that. This is a great group of guys. I’m just happy that I’m with them.”

Blanco figures to play a similar role as outfielder Jeremy Hazelbaker, who was optioned to Reno on Thursday morning to make room for right-hander Braden Shipley to start that day’s series finale against the Nationals.

Shipley, though, was sent back to Reno on Friday to make room for Blanco. Left-hander Steve Hathaway was transferred to the 60-day disabled list, clearing space for Blanco on the 40-man roster.

MORE: Diamondbacks’ Chris Owings flexing his power muscles

Fifth spot in rotation vacant again

Braden Shipley’s departure creates another round of questions about what the Diamondbacks will do with the fifth spot in the rotation, a spot that opened up after Shelby Miller went down with elbow trouble.

Because of Monday’s off day, the Diamondbacks can go without a fifth starter until May 13. Manager Torey Lovullo didn’t drop any hints about who the starter might be or when the club will use him, though he did again rule out right-hander Archie Bradley, who will remain in the bullpen.

“We want to see how this goes here in Colorado,” Lovullo said. “We know that teams and players come out of this environment a little tired, a little banged up. We want to make sure our players are healthy and strong and we’ll make that decision once we get through Sunday.”

Before Shipley, the club first turned to Zack Godley, who, like Shipley, was sent down immediately after his start on April 26. The club could go back to Godley, who will be eligible to return on Sunday.

Short hops

  • Outfielder David Peralta and second baseman Brandon Drury were back in the lineup on Friday after both missed time due to illness during the series in Washington. However, infielder/outfielder Chris Owings started showing signs of illness, though he felt good enough to remain in the lineup on Friday evening.
  • Right-hander Jake Barrett made his second appearance for High-A Visalia on his rehab assignment, giving up two hits but again striking out the side, the second time he’s done so in as many appearances. In his two innings, he has allowed three hits and no walks while striking out six.

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Saturday’s game

Diamondbacks at Rockies

When: 5:10 p.m.

Where: Coors Field, Denver.

Pitchers: Diamondbacks LHP Patrick Corbin (2-3, 2.29) vs. Rockies LHP Tyler Anderson (1-3, 7.71).

TV/Radio: FSAZ/KMVP-FM (98.7), KHOV-FM (105.1).

Corbin sports the lowest ERA among Diamondbacks starters. … He threw 6 1/3 scoreless innings against the Rockies on Sunday at Chase Field, allowing just two hits and two walks while striking out six. … Corbin did not fare well at Coors Field last season, giving up eight runs in 6 1/3 innings in two appearances. … Anderson faced the Diamondbacks last weekend, giving up six runs in five innings. … He’s faced mostly right-handed hitters this season but has struggled against the few lefties he’s seen, allowing a .300 average (9 for 30) with three home runs.

Coming up

Sunday: At Colorado, 12:10 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Taijuan Walker (3-1, 4.19) vs. Rockies RHP Tyler Chatwood (2-4, 5.40).

Monday: Off.

Tuesday: At Chase Field, 6:40 p.m., Diamondbacks TBA vs. Tigers RHP Justin Verlander (2-2, 4.21).

Wednesday: At Chase Field, 6:40 p.m., Diamondbacks LHP Robbie Ray (2-2, 3.47) vs. Tigers LHP Matt Boyd (2-2, 3.78).