D-backs add Bracho to bolster thin bullpen

MIAMI -- Heading into their eighth game of an 11-game road trip and following a 14-inning marathon that included an extended rain delay, the D-backs bullpen is worn. And that necessitated a move prior to Thursday's four-game series opener with Miami at Marlins Park.
The club recalled right-hand reliever Silvino Bracho from Triple-A Reno and optioned starting pitcher Zack Godley.
"The bullpen is a little thin," said D-backs manager Torey Lovullo. "We knew we'd probably be in a situation where we need some arms."
Bracho made three appearances earlier this season, all out of the bullpen, with an ERA of 19.29 over 2 1/3 innings. He gave up four hits, including two homers, and struck out five.
Godley has started six games for the D-backs this season (1-1, 2.39 ERA), turning in quality starts in each his last five outings. Over that span of 32 2/3 innings, he compiled a 2.20 ERA, striking out 26 while walking just nine. Opposing hitters batted .219 against Godley over those five starts.
"We just felt like we wanted to have that coverage in the bullpen and not ask guys to do too much that was going to possibly put them in harm's way," Lovullo said. "It's a move that was necessary for us to feel more comfortable in how we can manipulate the bullpen.
"Zack has been throwing the ball very well. It was a tough conversation with all of us. We made that decision with the thought of making sure the bullpen had arms. I think he understood. He might not have agreed, but he understood the reasoning."
Walker still an option for Sunday
Taijuan Walker, who went on the disabled list May 20 with a blister, had his bullpen session pushed back to Friday. His status remains up in the air for a Sunday start.
"I think the idea was to give him one more day," Lovullo said Thursday. "So he'll throw the bullpen tomorrow and see how he feels. We'll have more of a thought as to what's going to happen as we move forward toward Sunday. I think tomorrow will give us a better idea moving forward."
A Sunday starter still has not been announced. Lovullo said lefty Robbie Ray is not an option. Ray pitched a four-hit shutout at Pittsburgh on Tuesday.
"We pushed Robbie a little bit further than we normally would have, knowing that he had two extra days' rest," Lovullo said of the 115-pitch outing. "We feel very strongly about him starting Game 1 [of the upcoming homestand vs. the Padres] on Tuesday."
Pollock progressing
A.J. Pollock, who went on the DL on May 15 with a strained groin, put in some rehab work Thursday.
"A.J.'s having good days," said Lovullo, who played phone tag with the D-backs outfielder Thursday but did not speak directly with him. "He's feeling very good. He's initiating a lot of baseball activity, but he still hasn't ramped up the running to the level of saying that he's perfectly clear, but he's heading that way."