Zack Godley gets second chance to lock down starting job with Diamondbacks

It’s still too early to determine if the revolving audition for the fifth spot in the Diamondbacks’ starting rotation is nearing an end. The team is keeping its options open when it comes to which pitcher ultimately will replace the injured Shelby Miller.

For now, the job goes to right-hander Zack Godley, who will get his second crack at it on Wednesday when Arizona concludes its two-game series against the Tigers at Chase Field.

Beyond that, the Diamondbacks aren’t saying much. Unless you read between the lines of what manager Torey Lovullo had to say about the situation on Tuesday.

“We haven’t exactly got that far,” Lovullo said when asked if Godley might stay in the rotation after this next start. “We just told him he was going to start (Wednesday). But there’s a couple schools of thought that are going into what will happen.

“Obviously, we want to see him go out and perform, and good performances earn extra moments. I think out of fairness to some of the call-ups, it would be nice to see what they could do over a two-term span. So we’re hoping it trends in that direction.”

Godley, who allowed two runs over five innings during an 8-5 loss to the Padres in his only other start for the Diamondbacks, looked and sounded a bit surprised when told of those comments by reporters.

“That’s my first time hearing that,” he said of possibly getting a two-start opportunity. “I take it the same way I always do. I’m just going to keep trying to approach it one day at a time. I’ll relish the fact that I’m here, that I get the opportunity, and after tomorrow, we’ll go from there.”

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But wouldn’t it help his frame of mind to know he was going to get an extended look?

“I mean, it is what it is,” said Godley, who in two starts for Triple-A Reno is 2-0 with a 0.68 ERA. “All I can do is come up and do what they ask of me and try to throw the ball well and get guys out. If they want to keep me here for a little bit longer, that’s up to them. I just need to keep doing my job.”

Braden Shipley battled control problems in his lone shot at the No. 5 job, walking six batters in a 4-2 loss at the Nationals. So the Diamondbacks turned back to Godley, who Lovullo said “deserves this opportunity.”

Godley will officially be recalled from Reno on Wednesday, at which time a corresponding roster move will have to be made. A pitcher most likely will be sent to the minors, “but anything can happen,” Lovullo cautioned.

Anything, indeed. If Godley falters badly, the Diamondbacks have a big decision to make. They may finally decide it’s time to yank Archie Bradley out of the bullpen and make him a full-time starter again. They could reach back to the minors and promote young left-hander Anthony Banda, who is 3-1 with a 3.81 ERA in six starts for Reno. They could decide to stick it out with Godley – for good or bad.

Or might they go outside the organization and, say, sign a particular veteran free agent who just happens to be available?

“I know that you’re probably talking about (Doug) Fister, right?” Lovullo said. “Is that where you’re going with this? Let’s read between the lines and get it out of the way.”

OK. The Diamondbacks were one of four teams that watched the 33-year-old right-hander throw last week. The others were the Blue Jays, Angels and Mets. New York apparently has decided to move on from Fister, but what about the Diamondbacks?

“I don’t know what takes place in that area,” Lovullo said. “I have a great degree of trust in our front office. They do some amazing research. They do some amazing things and they give us the team to run with our input on certain personnel moves. So that is not my department. I’ve been reading the same things you have.

“However, nothing along the lines of Fister has crossed my plate.”

So for now, the job belongs to Godley – if he doesn’t blow it. Or, unless the Diamondbacks decide to take a flier on Fister, who made 32 starts last season for the Astros but had a 4.64 ERA.

“You’re just playing the game,” Godley said, sounding undeterred. “I’m here to do a job that they asked me to do, whether they ask me to do it just this once or they ask me to do it more than once. I’m here to do what they want me to do, and I hope that I can continue to have success in doing so.”

Reach McManaman at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @azbobbymac and listen to him live every Wednesday night between 7-9 on Fox Sports 910-AM on The Freaks with Kenny and Crash.

Wednesday’s game

Tigers at Diamondbacks

When: 6:40 p.m.

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

Pitchers: Diamondbacks RHP Zack Godley (0-0, 3.60) vs. Tigers LHP Matthew Boyd (2-2, 3.78).

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

This will be the second time Godley has started since a spot opened up in the rotation when right-hander Shelby Miller went down with elbow problems; in his first look, Godley gave up two runs in five innings April 26. … In an ensuing start in Triple-A, he allowed four runs (one earned) off just two hits in 6 1/3 innings. … Overall, Godley is 2-0 with a 0.68 ERA in two starts with Reno. … Boyd has pitched at least seven innings in each of his last two starts but is winless in both games; he gave up three runs in each appearance. … This will be Boyd’s first career game against the Diamondbacks. … He carries a 5.68 ERA this season on the road.

Coming up

Thursday: At Chase Field, 6:40 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Zack Greinke (3-2, 3.09) vs. Pirates RHP Gerrit Cole (1-3, 3.14 ERA)

Friday: At Chase Field, 6:40 p.m., Diamondbacks LHP Patrick Corbin (2-4, 3.89) vs. Pirates RHP Tyler Glasnow (1-2, 6.33).

Saturday: At Chase Field, 5:10 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Taijuan Walker (3-2, 3.83) vs. Pirates RHP Trevor Williams (1-2, 7.98).