Diamondbacks RHP Jake Barrett not guaranteed a spot

Right-hander Jake Barrett might have been the club’s best reliever last season, but Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo didn’t say Barrett was assured of roster spot when he’s ready to return from the shoulder problems that set him back during spring training.

Barrett is scheduled to make an appearance on a rehab assignment with High-A Visalia on Saturday night. It will be his first outing in an official game environment; he made several appearances in recent weeks in extended spring training.

“At some point he’s going to be healthy and we’re going to have to make a decision,” Lovullo said.

When asked if Barrett will have a spot in the bullpen when he’s ready, Lovullo said, “I don’t know that answer. That hasn’t been talked about. Getting him healthy and evaluating him is probably our biggest priority right now.

Barrett posted a 3.49 ERA in 68 appearances last season, the best numbers of any pitcher who spent the whole year with the club.

MORE: Diamondbacks’ bats unusually quiet in loss at home

Heater heavy

In dominating the San Diego Padres over eight innings on Thursday night, Diamondbacks right-hander Taijuan Walker used his fastball more than he had in any start this season. As the game went along, Walker said he saw no reason to throw much of anything else.

“It’s one of those things where if you don’t have to make an adjustment, don’t,” Walker said. “If they make an adjustment on you, then you have to make an adjustment back. But if they don’t, then you’ve got to keep doing it.”

Walker tied a career high with 11 strikeouts, eliciting 14 swings-and-misses on his fastball, including six in the eighth inning alone, when he struck out the side to end his outing. His fastball was sitting in the mid-90s and topped at 97 mph.

Walker said it was the best command he’s had of the pitch this season, which he attributed to the drills he’s been doing during his between-starts bullpen sessions.

“I’ve been doing a lot of dry work, a lot of work on my mechanics and getting my lower body (more involved),” he said. “It’s starting to seem like it’s paying off. There’s still a lot more work I’ve got to do and I’m still doing, but (Thursday night) was a step in the right direction.

Next chapter

Left-hander T.J. McFarland went from getting designated for assignment by the Orioles in February to joining the Diamondbacks’ bullpen on the brink of a critical series against the Rockies in late April – a climb he acknowledged as rewarding but also a journey that’s far from over.

“It doesn’t stop,” he said. “It continues, so I’m hoping to just kind of fill any type of role they need me to and do well.”

McFarland signed a minor-league deal with the team in March and called his transition to the organization “very smooth,” an adjustment no doubt eased along by the team’s strong start. And the chance to win was the reason why McFarland decided to sign with the Diamondbacks.

“There was some interest from some other teams,” he said. “But I ended up choosing here because of the talented squad that I wanted to be a part of, and hopefully I did well enough to prove to them that I was deserving of a shot. I’m happy I did that.”

McFarland had yet to give up a run in seven outings with Reno, a span of 11 innings in which he allowed four hits and struck out nine. In parts of four seasons with the Orioles, McFarland, 27, posted a 4.27 ERA in 198 1/3 innings.

“Had some success and found a rhythm,” McFarland said of his debut with Reno. “I was able to get a lot of work down there, too, so hopefully I can transition it here as well.”

He remained in that groove in his first appearance Friday as McFarland pitched a scoreless ninth Friday, getting the first two batters he faced to ground out. Catcher Dustin Garneau reached on a double, but then McFarland ended the inning by striking out pinch-hitter Cristhian Adames.

“In an offensive ballpark, he’s able to keep the ball down and deliver some ground balls,” Lovullo said. “He did a good job with that, and I know he was standing on his fastball. It was a little more aggressive than I remembered, and I know he’s worked hard to get to that point. Love the fact that he came in and pounded the zone. I love the fact that he came in and got two of his three outs via the ground ball and executed pitches the way he did.”

Short hops 

• Lovullo said he would be comfortable using right-hander Archie Bradley in the rotation the next time the club needs a fifth starter even if his pitch count would only be around 65.
• Outfielder Gregor Blanco, also on a rehab assignment with Visalia, went 1 for 4 with two RBIs, two strikeouts and a stolen base in his first game on Thursday night. Lovullo said Blanco will likely need somewhere between 20 and 40 at-bats before he’s a candidate for the big leagues.

Saturday’s game

Rockies at Diamondbacks

When: 5:10 p.m.

Where: Chase Field (roof hotline: 602-462-6262).

Pitchers: Diamondbacks RHP Zack Greinke (2-2, 2.93) vs. Rockies LHP Tyler Anderson (1-3, 7.11).

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

Greinke is coming off back-to-back starts against the San Diego Padres, in which he gave up a combined two runs in 14 innings with one walk and 17 strikeouts. … Greinke has a career 4.09 ERA in 20 games (19 starts) against the Rockies, including a 6.48 ERA in three starts against them last season. … OF Carlos Gonzalez has hit him well in their careers, going 13 for 34 (.382) with four homers. … Anderson was impressive as a rookie last season, posting a 3.54 ERA in 19 starts for the Rockies, but he has struggled through five starts this season, giving up six homers in 25 1/3 innings and a league-leading 20 earned runs. … Opponents are hitting .407 off him with runners in scoring position and just .246 with the bases empty. … Anderson faced the Diamondbacks at Chase Field last June, giving up two runs in 5 2/3 innings.

Coming up

Sunday: At Chase Field, 1:10 p.m., Diamondbacks LHP Patrick Corbin (2-3, 3.10) vs. Rockies RHP German Marquez (0-1, 18.00).

Monday: Off.

Tuesday: At Washington, 4:05 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Taijuan Walker (3-1, 3.94) vs. Nationals RHP Tanner Roark (3-0, 3.64).

Wednesday: At Washington, 4:05 p.m., Diamondbacks LHP Robbie Ray (2-0, 3.42)* vs. Nationals LHP Gio Gonzalez (3-0, 1.62).

* — Stats entering Friday.