The Arizona Diamondbacks are shuffling their pitching staff again as they head into Sunday’s series finale against the Cincinnati Reds.
Right-hander Zack Littell was designated for assignment, and right-hander Drey Jameson was recalled to take his spot. MLB.com’s Steve Gilbert also reported that right-hander Michael Soroka is headed to the injured list with right shoulder inflammation, with Gerardo Carrillo set to replace him.
The timing matters. Arizona is trying to keep pace in a playoff chase that has only gotten tighter, and it enters Sunday’s game two games back of the final wild-card spot.
Saturday night made the urgency obvious. The Reds rolled to an 11-5 win, with JJ Bleday hitting for the cycle and Elly De La Cruz finishing with four hits. Soroka was tagged for six runs in 3.1 innings, and Littell gave up four more in relief.
That was a sharp turn from Friday, when the Diamondbacks blasted Cincinnati 9-0 behind Eduardo Rodriguez and a career night from Jordan Lawlar. Lawlar collected three hits, including a two-run homer, and drove in three runs.
Soroka’s latest setback stands out because he had just come back from the injured list earlier this month and had settled into the rotation before getting hurt again. Arizona is already operating without Zac Gallen and Ryne Nelson, and Corbin Burnes is not expected back until September.
With the schedule moving on and the standings tightening, the Diamondbacks do not have much margin left. Their pitching has to steady fast if they want to stay in the race.
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