• J.D. Martinez talks about getting hit by a pitch vs. Reds

    J.D. Martinez talks about getting hit by a pitch vs. Reds

  • Manager Torey Lovullo on loss to Reds, Martinez's injury

    Manager Torey Lovullo on loss to Reds, Martinez’s injury

  • Zack Greinke on his outing vs. Reds

    Zack Greinke on his outing vs. Reds

  • Shot Clock: D-Backs seize moment with trade

    Shot Clock: D-Backs seize moment with trade

  • Torey Lovullo on D-Backs' win over Reds, acquisition of J.D. Martinez

    Torey Lovullo on D-Backs’ win over Reds, acquisition of J.D. Martinez

  • Shot Clock: Robbie Ray brings intensity to mound

    Shot Clock: Robbie Ray brings intensity to mound

  • Shot Clock: D-Backs fear Cubs; ASU's hot seat

    Shot Clock: D-Backs fear Cubs; ASU’s hot seat

  • Torey Lovullo after D-Backs' fifth straight loss

    Torey Lovullo after D-Backs’ fifth straight loss

  • Zack Godley on rough start vs. Braves

    Zack Godley on rough start vs. Braves

  • Patrick Corbin goes five innings vs. Braves

    Patrick Corbin goes five innings vs. Braves

  • Randall Delgado on Braves' four-run, go-ahead rally

    Randall Delgado on Braves’ four-run, go-ahead rally

  • Torey Lovullo after D-Backs lose again vs. Braves

    Torey Lovullo after D-Backs lose again vs. Braves

  • Torey Lovullo talks D-Backs' strategy in loss to Braves

    Torey Lovullo talks D-Backs’ strategy in loss to Braves

  • Taijuan Walker on his night vs. Braves

    Taijuan Walker on his night vs. Braves

  • Shot Clock: D-Backs' trade deadline ideas

    Shot Clock: D-Backs’ trade deadline ideas

  • Shot Clock: Playoffs for D-Backs and Suns?

    Shot Clock: Playoffs for D-Backs and Suns?

  • Diamondbacks fall 2-1 to Reds

    Diamondbacks fall 2-1 to Reds

  • Lovullo on the Diamondbacks' loss to the Reds

    Lovullo on the Diamondbacks’ loss to the Reds

  • Diamondbacks hold off Reds for 6-3 win

    Diamondbacks hold off Reds for 6-3 win

  • Shot Clock: 1 more chance for D-Backs' Rodney?

    Shot Clock: 1 more chance for D-Backs’ Rodney?

  • Fernando Rodney after blown save vs. Dodgers

    Fernando Rodney after blown save vs. Dodgers

  • Torey Lovullo after Dodgers sweep D-Backs in LA

    Torey Lovullo after Dodgers sweep D-Backs in LA

  • Robbie Ray on his outing, tough loss vs. Dodgers

    Robbie Ray on his outing, tough loss vs. Dodgers

  • Torey Lovullo on D-Backs' second consecutive loss in LA

    Torey Lovullo on D-Backs’ second consecutive loss in LA

  • Zack Godley talks about his outing vs. Dodgers.

    Zack Godley talks about his outing vs. Dodgers.

  • Gregor Blanco after D-Backs' loss to Dodgers

    Gregor Blanco after D-Backs’ loss to Dodgers

  • Shot Clock: How should Suns, D-Backs prioritize improvement?

    Shot Clock: How should Suns, D-Backs prioritize improvement?

  • Chris Owings on Kershaw's night, D-Backs' late push

    Chris Owings on Kershaw’s night, D-Backs’ late push

  • Torey Lovullo on D-Backs' late push in loss vs. Dodgers

    Torey Lovullo on D-Backs’ late push in loss vs. Dodgers

  • Dodgers vs D-Backs preview

    Dodgers vs D-Backs preview

  • Lovullo, Marte, Walker discuss D-Backs' walk-off win

    Lovullo, Marte, Walker discuss D-Backs’ walk-off win

  • Four Diamondbacks react to making NL All-Star team

    Four Diamondbacks react to making NL All-Star team

  • Archie Bradley on D-Backs' win over Rockies

    Archie Bradley on D-Backs’ win over Rockies

  • Zack Greinke on his effective outing vs. Rockies

    Zack Greinke on his effective outing vs. Rockies

  • Robbie Ray on his outing in loss vs. Rockies

    Robbie Ray on his outing in loss vs. Rockies

  • Chris Owings homers twice in loss to Rockies

    Chris Owings homers twice in loss to Rockies

  • Torey Lovullo talks loss to Cardinals

    Torey Lovullo talks loss to Cardinals

  • D-Backs GM on Chase Field humidor being pushed back

    D-Backs GM on Chase Field humidor being pushed back

  • Lovullo, Godley reflect on D-Backs' close loss

    Lovullo, Godley reflect on D-Backs’ close loss

  • Tony La Russa reflects on his baseball life

    Tony La Russa reflects on his baseball life

  • Torey Lovullo shares Tomas, Pollock, Ahmed injury updates

    Torey Lovullo shares Tomas, Pollock, Ahmed injury updates

  • Chris Herrmann walks it off for D-Backs

    Chris Herrmann walks it off for D-Backs

  • D-Backs' Torey Lovullo: "They fight until the final out"

    D-Backs’ Torey Lovullo: “They fight until the final out”

  • Chris Herrmann on first career leadoff home run

    Chris Herrmann on first career leadoff home run

  • Zack Greinke on outing vs. Phillies

    Zack Greinke on outing vs. Phillies

  • Torey Lovullo on D-Backs' offensive execution in win

    Torey Lovullo on D-Backs’ offensive execution in win

  • Diamondbacks-Phillies recap - June 26

    Diamondbacks-Phillies recap – June 26

  • Diamondbacks walk off Philies in extra innings

    Diamondbacks walk off Philies in extra innings

  • Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Philadelphia Phillies | June 25, 2017

    Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Philadelphia Phillies | June 25, 2017

  • Ray on his outing against the Phillies

    Ray on his outing against the Phillies

  • Torey Lovullo on Diamondbacks' loss to Phillies

    Torey Lovullo on Diamondbacks’ loss to Phillies

  • Lovullo discusses the Diamondbacks' win over the Phillies

    Lovullo discusses the Diamondbacks’ win over the Phillies

  • Torey Lovullo after D-Backs win series vs. Rockies

    Torey Lovullo after D-Backs win series vs. Rockies

  • Paul Goldschmidt on D-Backs' offensive outburst

    Paul Goldschmidt on D-Backs’ offensive outburst

  • Zack Godley on strong outing at Coors Field

    Zack Godley on strong outing at Coors Field

  • D-Backs' Taijuan Walker on win over Rockies

    D-Backs’ Taijuan Walker on win over Rockies

  • Torey Lovullo after blowout win vs. Rockies

    Torey Lovullo after blowout win vs. Rockies

  • Torey Lovullo on decision to stick with Zack Greinke

    Torey Lovullo on decision to stick with Zack Greinke

  • Zack Greinke after loss vs. Rockies

    Zack Greinke after loss vs. Rockies

  • D-Backs suffer tough loss in Denver

    D-Backs suffer tough loss in Denver

  • Shot Clock: D-Backs, Rockies set for showdown

    Shot Clock: D-Backs, Rockies set for showdown

  • Torey Lovullo on Rey Fuentes' go-ahead homer

    Torey Lovullo on Rey Fuentes’ go-ahead homer

  • Rey Fuentes on hitting his first career home run

    Rey Fuentes on hitting his first career home run

  • Robbie Ray on his outing vs. Phillies

    Robbie Ray on his outing vs. Phillies

  • Manager Torey Lovullo after D-Backs' sixth consecutive win

    Manager Torey Lovullo after D-Backs’ sixth consecutive win

  • Jake Lamb on D-Backs' latest win over Phillies

    Jake Lamb on D-Backs’ latest win over Phillies

  • Torey Lovullo talks about his late father's support, guidance

    Torey Lovullo talks about his late father’s support, guidance

  • Torey Lovullo on his father's job in television

    Torey Lovullo on his father’s job in television

  • Torey Lovullo on D-Backs' come-from-behind win over Phillies

    Torey Lovullo on D-Backs’ come-from-behind win over Phillies

  • Gregor Blanco discusses his game-tying homer vs. Phillies

    Gregor Blanco discusses his game-tying homer vs. Phillies

  • Patrick Corbin on his performance vs. Phillies

    Patrick Corbin on his performance vs. Phillies

  • Torey Lovullo on D-Backs' latest one-run win

    Torey Lovullo on D-Backs’ latest one-run win

  • Taijuan Walker on his first outing back from the disabled list

    Taijuan Walker on his first outing back from the disabled list

  • David Peralta on his go-ahead homer in win over Tigers

    David Peralta on his go-ahead homer in win over Tigers

  • Torey Lovullo after D-Backs' win over Tigers

    Torey Lovullo after D-Backs’ win over Tigers

  • Robbie Ray on D-Backs' win over Brewers

    Robbie Ray on D-Backs’ win over Brewers

  • Paul Goldschmidt on grand slam, offensive outburst

    Paul Goldschmidt on grand slam, offensive outburst

  • Godley on taking advantage of opportunity after D-Backs win

    Godley on taking advantage of opportunity after D-Backs win

  • Torey Lovullo after D-Backs' win over Brewers

    Torey Lovullo after D-Backs’ win over Brewers

  • Randall Delgado on his rough outing against Brewers

    Randall Delgado on his rough outing against Brewers

  • Lovullo on Diamondbacks' loss to Brewers

    Lovullo on Diamondbacks’ loss to Brewers

  • Chris Iannetta on his career-high 7 RBIs vs. Padres

    Chris Iannetta on his career-high 7 RBIs vs. Padres

Right-hander Taijuan Walker’s placement on the paternity list threw a wrench in the Diamondbacks’ starting pitching plans for Thursday, and it figures to have a domino effect on the next couple of days.

Walker was replaced on Thursday with Patrick Corbin, who was scheduled to start Friday against the Washington Nationals, and taking Walker’s place on the roster was right-hander Matt Koch, who was recalled from Triple-A Reno.

As for what the club will do the next two days, that remains to be seen. Because Koch wasn’t needed in relief on Thursday, he could be an option to start one of the days, manager Torey Lovullo said. Right-hander Zack Godley had been scheduled to start Saturday, but he could start Friday on normal rest.

If Godley starts on Friday, could the club then ask Walker to return to the rotation for Saturday night?

MORE: Sexson, Marquis, J.D. Martinez? Some inauspicious starts with D-Backs

“We’re not counting on it,” Lovullo said.

Koch had an impressive debut with the Diamondbacks late last season, tossing 18 innings over seven games (two starts) and posting a 2.00 ERA. He exhibited good mound presence and threw 67.1 percent strikes, above the major-league average of 63.8 percent.

But Koch missed most of spring training with a hamstring issue, then ran into shoulder problems with Triple-A Reno. His results there, however, have not been good this season. In four starts, he has an 8.47 ERA, and he’s allowed 15 earned runs in 16 innings in three starts since returning from the shoulder problems.

“He has been throwing the ball OK,” Lovullo said. “His stuff, from what I’ve been reading and understanding, has been taking shape and been consistent.”

The Diamondbacks remain without right-hander Randall Delgado, who is on the disabled list with a flexor strain in his right elbow. He likely would have been a candidate to start were he healthy.

MLB PLAYOFF PICTURE: D-Backs among worst teams in last month

Lovullo hopeful Martinez returns soon

New Diamondbacks right fielder J.D. Martinez was out of the lineup Thursday, a day after being struck on the left hand with a pitch, but manager Torey Lovullo was hopeful he’d get his slugger back in the lineup soon, perhaps Friday.

“We’re very thankful that it’s just a bruise,” Lovullo said. “He’s going to need a little more time. We felt like today was not the day or the situation. He’s still day-to-day.”

Martinez was hit by a fastball in the fourth inning on Wednesday. He tried to check his swing on a pitch that would up striking him on the left hand. X-rays were negative, and the team is calling his injury a left hand contusion.

Martinez said the hand was still sore when he arrived to the park on Thursday.

“I want to say tomorrow is the day, but we’re never going to put him in harm’s way,” Lovullo said. “If he’s not ready, we’re not going to force that.”

MORE: Diamondbacks offering free kids ticket with paid adult this weekend

Keeping ‘em fresh

Lovullo had several of his everyday players out of the lineup on Thursday, including outfielders A.J. Pollock and David Peralta.

Lovullo said he’s still trying to keep both outfielders fresh for later in the season and didn’t want to push things after a four-hour game on Wednesday night and a quick turnaround to Thursday’s day game.

“(Pollock) is trending in the direction of being able to play every inning of every day, but I’m still going to use my head and rest him when I feel like it’s appropriate,” Lovullo said. “Same with Peralta. He’s been banged up from time to time. I wanted to get him off his feet and get him ready for the next day.”

Second baseman Brandon Drury was not in the lineup, either, the third consecutive day game for which he’s been out of the lineup. Drury is hitting just .214/.273/.314 in day games compared to .298/.347/.489 at night.

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