The Arizona Diamondbacks start Zack Greinke Saturday against Twins

McFarland, Shipley candidates for Sunday

Manager Torey Lovullo said the Diamondbacks are waiting to get through Saturday night’s game against the Twins before naming a starter for Sunday’s series finale.

Ideally, the club would like to use reliever T.J. McFarland as the starter and go with a “bullpen day” game on Sunday. As such, Lovullo said he’ll try to avoid using the left-hander in Saturday night’s game, if possible.

However, the club has also made contingency plans. Right-hander Braden Shipley is en route to Minnesota, Lovullo said, in the event that he’s needed. It’s possible Shipley gets the start. It’s possible Shipley winds up in the bullpen as a fresh arm to provide length. It’s also possible Shipley heads right back to Triple-A Reno without spending a day on the big league roster.

McFarland hasn’t started a game in the big leagues since 2014 but he’s made three relief appearances this season of at least three innings. He threw 32 pitches on Wednesday night in Houston, and he said that, assuming he doesn’t pitch Saturday, he should have enough rest to be able to get up to at least 60 pitches, if not more.

“Just tell me when to throw and I’ll throw,” McFarland said. “That’s kind of how I’ve always been my whole career. Nothing is really going to change there.”

Shipley has logged a 6.06 ERA in 18 starts for Reno. He’s thrown 11 1/3 innings in the big leagues with a 6.35 ERA.

Saturday’s Game

When: 4:10 p.m.

Where: Target Field, Minneapolis.

Pitchers: Diamondbacks RHP Zack Greinke (14-5, 3.01) vs. Twins RHP Jose Berrios (10-5, 4.27).

TV/Radio: FSAZ/KTAR-AM (620), KHOV-FM (105.1).

Greinke tossed 6 2/3 shutout innings against the Astros on Monday night at Chase Field, allowing just five hits and two walks while striking out nine. … He has struck out at least eight in four consecutive starts. … Greinke hasn’t faced the Twins since 2014, and he only has extended history against 1B Joe Mauer (18 for 50, .360) and 2B Brian Dozier (1 for 10, .100). … Berrios was originally scheduled to pitch on Thursday but the Twins pushed back his start. … His past two outings have been rough. He’s given up a combined 11 earned runs in 8 1/3 innings against the Rangers and Tigers. … He had a 2.67 ERA through eight starts but has a 6.20 ERA over his past nine. … He’s primarily fastball/curveball, averaging 93 mph with the heater and topping at 96 mph.

Saturday’s lineup

Robbie Ray looks to return vs. Mets

Robbie Ray’s rehab start on Thursday night went well, General Manager Mike Hazen said, and the All-Star left-hander is on target to return to the Diamondbacks’ rotation next week in New York.

As to what day he’ll slot in, that’s yet to be determined, Hazen said, noting that the club would prefer not to have him and fellow left-hander Patrick Corbin back-to-back. Another consideration is to match up the starters’ schedules with those of the catchers.

Ray gave up two runs on four hits and two walks with 11 strikeouts in 4 2/3 innings on Thursday for High-A Visalia, getting his pitch count up to 80.

Hazen said Ray felt good physically and that his stuff was good, including a fastball up to 96 mph, and he acknowledged the start probably could have come at the major league level.

Ray has been out since suffering a concussion on July 28 when he was struck on the side of the head by a 108 mph line drive off the bat of the St. Louis Cardinals’ Luke Voit.

MORE D-BACKS NOTES: No starter set for Sunday; Missing Delgado

Coming up

Sunday: At Minnesota, 11:10 a.m., Diamondbacks LHP T.J. McFarland (4-4, 4.14) vs. Twins RHP Bartolo Colon (2-2, 4.21).

Monday: At New York, 4:10 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Taijuan Walker (6-7, 3.83) vs. Mets RHP Robert Gsellman (5-5, 5.98).

Tuesday: At New York, 4:10 p.m., Diamondbacks LHP Patrick Corbin (10-11, 4.25) vs. Mets LHP Steven Matz (2-7, 6.08).