Torey Lovullo on No. 5 starter, Yasmany Tomas

The Diamondbacks start a four-game home series with the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday night at 6:40 p.m. Stay with this page for updates and analysis throughout the matchup. 

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo met with reporters Thursday during his pregame news conference and here are a few of the highlights:

Still no official word on Godley: Lovullo said the team has yet to make a final determination if right-hander Zack Godley will remain as the No. 5 starter. Despite two strong outings in his audition, Godley will have to wait a little longer to learn his fate.

“We’re still discussing that, still working through what will happen with his next turn, but whatever it is, we want to make sure that spot will give us the best chance to win a game,” Lovullo said.

Asked what else Godley has to do to earn the job after allowing just three earned runs over 12 innings, Lovullo said he couldn’t get into specifics other than to say other factors may are also in play. He wouldn’t say it, but those other factors could be that the Diamondbacks are still considering signing veteran free agent Doug Fister.

“We want to obviously make a decision as soon as possible. We want to make sure it’s the right decision. And he’s done everything he possibly can to make sure he’s the guy for the next time,” Lovullo said. “Those are the obvious factors, but there’s some other things we have to consider as well.”

Like what?

“Things I really don’t want to share with anybody in this room right now,” Lovullo said.

Tomas not in the lineup: Though he’s hitting .313 against right-handed pitching, Yasmany Tomas was not in Lovullo’s starting lineup Thursday against the Pirates and righty Gerrit Cole. Instead, Lovullo went with Daniel Descalso as his starting left fielder. Descalso will bat seventh.

“I wanted to give Daniel a chance to play; he hasn’t played in several days,” Lovullo said. “… I just like the idea of having a left-handed bat in there. Nothing against Yas, he’s been swinging the bat pretty well and he hit a big home run last night. It was just about somebody on the bench getting a chance to play and help us win a ballgame.”

Lack of offense from the catchers: Arizona’s catcher trio of Jeff Mathis, Chris Iannetta and Chris Herrmann have combined to hit just .170 with four doubles, five home runs and 14 RBIs. Lovvullo said the lack of offense out of the position is not a concern – as of yet.

“It’s of minimal concern for me right now,” he said, “and probably the reason why I’m leaning in that direction is because out pitchers have done so well and they are kind of leading the way here, leading the charge for the success that we’ve had for the first six weeks of the season.

“… The catchers all know they’re not having tremendous offensive moments, but I think they’re doing enough to say, ‘Look, we’re winning our share of games and our offense is going to come in time,’ and I believe that. I believe we’re not seeing the best of any of our guys, offensively, but there’s a process that we follow here. We know that it’s a long haul … and over that long haul I’m sure it’s going to balance itself out.”

Lineup

Jeff Mathis is behind the plate to catch Zack Greinke as the Diamondbacks open up a home series against the Pirates. The Diamondbacks are set to wear their throwback, teal and purple uniforms as part of the team’s “Throwback Thursdays.” 

The full lineup:

Thursday’s game

Pirates at Diamondbacks

When: 6:40 p.m.

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

Pitchers: Diamondbacks RHP Zack Greinke (3-2, 3.09) vs. Pirates RHP Gerrit Cole (1-3, 3.14 ERA).

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

Greinke has turned in four consecutive quality starts and is coming off a win, giving up just two runs in seven innings last Friday against the Rockies. … Over his last three starts, Greinke has struck out 27. … In four home starts, he’s 2-0 with a 2.66 ERA; Greinke is 6-3 with a 5.04 ERA in 10 career starts against the Pirates. … Cole has settled into a rhythm after giving up five runs in his season debut; he boasts a 2.37 ERA through six starts since that game. … His last time out, Cole gave up just one run off two hits through seven innings while striking out eight. … He’s struck out that many in three of his last four appearances.

Coming up

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).

Sunday: At Chase Field, 1:10 p.m., Diamondbacks LHP Robbie Ray (2-3, 4.14) vs. Pirates RHP Ivan Nova (3-3, 2.23).

Up next: Pittsburgh Pirates

The Pirates are in the midst of a seven-game road trip that started in Los Angeles. Entering their finale against the Dodgers Wednesday, they had dropped three straight and five of their past seven. Most of their struggles have come on the road, and the team sits last in the NL Central. This is a young Pittsburgh team that has been regularly been in flux to start the season. Outfielder Starling Marte is serving an 80-game suspension after testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance. The Pirates are also without second baseman Adam Frazier (hamstring strain), third baseman David Freese (hamstring strain) and right-hander Jameson Taillon, who recently underwent surgery for suspected testicular cancer. Freese, who hasn’t played since April 24, still leads regulars on the team in a number of offensive categories including average (.321). Outfielder Andrew McCutchen was hitting .222 entering Wednesday’s game with five home runs and 15 RBIs. Pittsburgh’s 121 runs were second-fewest in the National League. The team’s 3.98 ERA ranked fifth.