• 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

  • Patrick Corbin on his effectiveness vs. Padres

    Patrick Corbin on his effectiveness vs. Padres

  • Chris Owings on Diamondbacks' offensive production with two outs

    Chris Owings on Diamondbacks’ offensive production with two outs

  • Arizona Diamondbacks vs. San Diego Padres -- June 8, 2017

    Arizona Diamondbacks vs. San Diego Padres — June 8, 2017

  • Greinke on his 'all right' outing in D-Backs' win

    Greinke on his ‘all right’ outing in D-Backs’ win

  • Lamb on big performance in D-Backs' win

    Lamb on big performance in D-Backs’ win

  • D-Backs beat Padres for another home win

    D-Backs beat Padres for another home win

  • Shot Clock: D-Backs train rolling; Durant new No. 1?

    Shot Clock: D-Backs train rolling; Durant new No. 1?

  • MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred on rift between D-Backs, Maricopa County

    MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred on rift between D-Backs, Maricopa County

  • D-Backs manager Torey Lovullo on no-hitter, road struggles

    D-Backs manager Torey Lovullo on no-hitter, road struggles

  • Chris Herrmann on Edinson Volquez's performance in no-hitter

    Chris Herrmann on Edinson Volquez’s performance in no-hitter

  • D-Backs' Rey Fuentes on Edinson Volquez's pitch mix in no-hitter

    D-Backs’ Rey Fuentes on Edinson Volquez’s pitch mix in no-hitter

  • Patrick Corbin after loss to Marlins

    Patrick Corbin after loss to Marlins

  • Torey Lovullo on Patrick Corbin's outing vs. Marlins

    Torey Lovullo on Patrick Corbin’s outing vs. Marlins

  • Torey Lovullo on Nick Ahmed, comeback win over Marlins

    Torey Lovullo on Nick Ahmed, comeback win over Marlins

  • David Peralta talks about Chris Owings' 'clutch' hit vs. Pirates

    David Peralta talks about Chris Owings’ ‘clutch’ hit vs. Pirates

  • Chris Owings on D-Backs' extra-inning win in Pittsburgh

    Chris Owings on D-Backs’ extra-inning win in Pittsburgh

  • Torey Lovullo on 'character win' in Pittsburgh

    Torey Lovullo on ‘character win’ in Pittsburgh

  • Robbie Ray on postgame celebration after shutout vs. Pirates

    Robbie Ray on postgame celebration after shutout vs. Pirates

  • Torey Lovullo on Robbie Ray's shutout of Pirates

    Torey Lovullo on Robbie Ray’s shutout of Pirates

  • Chris Herrmann on Robbie Ray's 'outstanding' outing vs. Pirates

    Chris Herrmann on Robbie Ray’s ‘outstanding’ outing vs. Pirates

  • Shot Clock: Winless weekend with D-Backs

    Shot Clock: Winless weekend with D-Backs

  • Diamondbacks' Chris Iannetta on his latest clutch homer

    Diamondbacks’ Chris Iannetta on his latest clutch homer

  • Torey Lovullo on Diamondbacks' loss to the Pirates

    Torey Lovullo on Diamondbacks’ loss to the Pirates

  • Archie Bradley after walkoff loss to Pirates

    Archie Bradley after walkoff loss to Pirates

  • Torey Lovullo on Patrick Corbin's outing, loss to Brewers

    Torey Lovullo on Patrick Corbin’s outing, loss to Brewers

  • Patrick Corbin on his outing vs. Brewers

    Patrick Corbin on his outing vs. Brewers

  • Zack Greinke on his outing in loss to Brewers

    Zack Greinke on his outing in loss to Brewers

  • Torey Lovullo on loss to Brewers, Chase Anderson

    Torey Lovullo on loss to Brewers, Chase Anderson

  • Paul Goldschmidt talks about Chase Anderson's outing

    Paul Goldschmidt talks about Chase Anderson’s outing

  • Torey Lovullo on D-Backs' comeback win in MIlwaukee

    Torey Lovullo on D-Backs’ comeback win in MIlwaukee

  • Chris Iannetta on his game-tying homer vs. Brewers

    Chris Iannetta on his game-tying homer vs. Brewers

  • Can D-Backs keep this up? Why, why not

    Can D-Backs keep this up? Why, why not

  • Robbie Ray after dominant outing in Milwaukee

    Robbie Ray after dominant outing in Milwaukee

  • D-Backs' Torey Lovullo on impressive win over Brewers

    D-Backs’ Torey Lovullo on impressive win over Brewers

  • Torey Lovullo on 'nice team win' for D-Backs

    Torey Lovullo on ‘nice team win’ for D-Backs

  • Jake Lamb on strong game against lefty Jose Quintana

    Jake Lamb on strong game against lefty Jose Quintana

  • Chris Herrmann on hitting surge, HR in win

    Chris Herrmann on hitting surge, HR in win

  • Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Archie Bradley competes in cow milking competition

    Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Archie Bradley competes in cow milking competition

  • Shelby Miller: Tommy John surgery 'was a pretty smooth process'

    Shelby Miller: Tommy John surgery ‘was a pretty smooth process’

  • Shot Clock: Time to take D-Backs seriously

    Shot Clock: Time to take D-Backs seriously

  • Zack Greinke on near-complete game, Eephus pitch

    Zack Greinke on near-complete game, Eephus pitch

  • Torey Lovullo on Zack Greinke's 'great night'

    Torey Lovullo on Zack Greinke’s ‘great night’

  • Montini volunteers free tickets - with Bickley's help

    Montini volunteers free tickets – with Bickley’s help

  • D-Backs manager Torey Lovullo on loss vs. Padres

    D-Backs manager Torey Lovullo on loss vs. Padres

  • Chris Iannetta on homering in first game off DL

    Chris Iannetta on homering in first game off DL

  • Zack Godley on his outing vs. Padres

    Zack Godley on his outing vs. Padres

  • Torey Lovullo after D-Backs pound Padres 9-1

    Torey Lovullo after D-Backs pound Padres 9-1

  • Torey Lovullo on D-Backs' blowout win vs. Padres

    Torey Lovullo on D-Backs’ blowout win vs. Padres

  • Taijuan Walker tosses six scoreless vs. Padres

    Taijuan Walker tosses six scoreless vs. Padres

  • Brandon Drury homers in win vs. Padres

    Brandon Drury homers in win vs. Padres

  • Watch out for Dodgers; Cards CBs apply for job

    Watch out for Dodgers; Cards CBs apply for job

  • Diamondbacks outlast Mets in extra innings

    Diamondbacks outlast Mets in extra innings

  • Diamondbacks discuss close win over Mets

    Diamondbacks discuss close win over Mets

  • Diamondbacks' Zack Godley talks after win over Mets

    Diamondbacks’ Zack Godley talks after win over Mets

  • Diamondbacks' Torey Lovullo talks upbeat pace in win over Mets

    Diamondbacks’ Torey Lovullo talks upbeat pace in win over Mets

  • A.J. Pollock discusses his injury after loss to Pirates

    A.J. Pollock discusses his injury after loss to Pirates

  • David Peralta downplays his injury vs. Pirates

    David Peralta downplays his injury vs. Pirates

  • Torey Lovullo on injuries, loss vs. Pirates

    Torey Lovullo on injuries, loss vs. Pirates

  • Chris Iannetta talks about scary HBP vs. Pirates

    Chris Iannetta talks about scary HBP vs. Pirates

  • Diamondbacks rally falls short against Pirates

    Diamondbacks rally falls short against Pirates

  • Lovullo: Iannetta "said he could play tonight if he had to" after HBP

    Lovullo: Iannetta “said he could play tonight if he had to” after HBP

  • Diamondbacks overwhelm Pirates 11-4

    Diamondbacks overwhelm Pirates 11-4

  • Kaepernick blackballed? Greinke now trade bait?

    Kaepernick blackballed? Greinke now trade bait?

  • Zack Greinke on his near no-hitter against Pirates

    Zack Greinke on his near no-hitter against Pirates

  • Lovullo reacts to Greinke's near no-hitter in win

    Lovullo reacts to Greinke’s near no-hitter in win

  • Diamondbacks snap losing streak with win over Tigers

    Diamondbacks snap losing streak with win over Tigers

  • Diamondbacks drop third straight with loss to Tigers

    Diamondbacks drop third straight with loss to Tigers

  • Shot Clock: D-Backs face pivotal homestand

    Shot Clock: D-Backs face pivotal homestand

  • Torey Lovullo after D-Backs' latest loss to Rockies

    Torey Lovullo after D-Backs’ latest loss to Rockies

  • Taijuan Walker after loss to Rockies

    Taijuan Walker after loss to Rockies

  • Patrick Corbin after being roughed up by Rockies

    Patrick Corbin after being roughed up by Rockies

  • D-Backs' Torey Lovullo on 'tough night' at Coors Field

    D-Backs’ Torey Lovullo on ‘tough night’ at Coors Field

  • 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

Reliever Silvino Bracho has quietly had two encouraging outings since his fourth call-up this season on June 8, allowing just one hit over 2 2/3 innings while striking out three. That’s a far cry from his first outing for Arizona this year, when he was shelled for three runs in 1/3 of an inning on April 24 and was optioned to Triple-A Reno two days later.

One reason for the improvement: About a month ago, Bracho incorporated a “wiggle” into his pitching motion. After coming to a set position, he wiggles his glove in an attempt to change his timing and make hitters more uncomfortable at the plate.

“When I got sent down I got down in my mind and decided to try to do something different to get people out,” Bracho said. “I’m trying to change the tempo for the hitter.”

MORE: Zack Godley’s status uncertain, even after latest gem

Bracho admitted it was tough to get hit hard in his first appearance and then almost immediately get sent back to the minors.

“I had to keep my mind focused,” he said. “Because if I lose my mind I can’t do my job.”

Bracho pitched well in Reno, striking out 30 batters in 17 2/3 innings with a 1.53 ERA while holding hitters to a .148 batting average. Manager Torey Lovullo had enough confidence in Bracho that he had him ready to go in the bullpen in the sixth inning on Thursday with the Diamondbacks holding a one-run lead over the Padres.

“I think young players overall have a very tough time walking into the environment and doing well right off the bat,” Lovullo said. “Sometimes just with my experience when you don’t do well your thoughts kind of wander into, ‘Oh my God, I’m getting sent out after the game.’ You start going in the wrong direction from a mental standpoint.

“Maybe that was something he was doing, maybe losing focus pitch to pitch. But he has responded and thrown the ball very, very well.”

Walker’s next pitch

The Diamondbacks’ starting rotation is unsettled after Zack Greinke’s start on Tuesday in Detroit but it appears Taijuan Walker will be getting the ball fairly soon.

Lovullo said Walker threw a bullpen session Saturday that included him taking the protective tape off his blister and that the session “went well.” He said the Diamondbacks will use the next 24 hours to determine the next step for Walker, but when asked if that step would be a major league start, Lovullo said, “That would be the best-case scenario, correct.”

Walker hasn’t pitched since May 19. His return would give the Diamondbacks six starters. Also muddling the rotation plans: Arizona has three days off in the next nine days.

DH day off?

Lovullo said he hasn’t decided whom his designated hitters will be in the two games at Detroit but he was leaning toward giving Paul Goldschmidt a rest from playing first base.

“I think it would be a nice way for Goldy to play a game and get him off his feet a little bit,” Lovullo said. “I haven’t told him that. I’ll probably need to as soon as I get out of this room.”

MORE: Robbie Ray, Brewers’ Chase Anderson eager for friendly matchup

Pollock update

Lovullo said center fielder A.J. Pollock ran “close to 100 percent” before Saturday’s game, including making some gradual turns.

“The next couple of days he’s going to ramp up that activity,” Lovullo said. “The fact he was feeling good and running close to 100 percent was very encouraging to me.”

There’s still no timetable for Pollock’s return or a rehabilitation assignment.

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Sunday’s game

Brewers at Diamondbacks

When: 1:10 p.m.

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

Pitchers: Diamondbacks LHP Robbie Ray (6-3, 2.85) vs. Brewers RHP Chase Anderson (5-1, 2.94).

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

Ray has won four straight starts and over that stretch has struck out 41 batters in 30 1/3 innings while walking only five. One of those starts was against the Brewers on May 25 when he shut out Milwaukee on two hits over seven innings in a 4-0 win. Anderson, the former Diamondback, has been on a roll of his own, winning three straight starts, including a dominant outing against Arizona on May 27. He allowed just one hit and struck out 11 batters. Anderson has walked just five batters in his last 21 2/3 innings.

Coming up

Monday: Off.

Tuesday: At Detroit, 4:10 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Zack Greinke (8-3, 3.20) vs. Tigers RHP Buck Farmer (2-0, 0.00).

Wednesday: At Detroit, 4:10 p.m., Diamondbacks TBD vs. Tigers TBD