TEMPE, Ariz. -- The D-backs' bullpen continues to take shape as the clock ticks toward Opening Day, but its final construction is far from complete.

On Friday morning, the club optioned right-handed pitcher Jimmy Sherfy, a candidate to break camp with the big league team, to Triple-A Reno. The club must also still decide what it’s going to do with Rule 5 selection Nick Green, who remains in big league camp. The right-hander either has to make the Major League team or be sent back to the New York Yankees.

Here’s what we know: Yoshihisa Hirano, Andrew Chafin, Greg Holland and Archie Bradley are all in. Bradley, who has been dealing with a stiff neck, is expected to throw this weekend, and it’s unlikely T.J. McFarland, who has been slowed this spring by left shoulder inflammation, will be ready for Opening Day. It’s also worth noting that Matt Koch is out of options and could make the club as a reliever.

Silvino Bracho, who was expected to be a part of the bullpen, recently had successful Tommy John surgery.

“It's extremely competitive,” D-backs manager Torey Lovullo said. “We have some very capable guys that have been stepping up and getting the job done. … We want to continue to let that happen over the next 11 or 12 games before we make some final decisions, but it's going to be tough.”

For now, Yoan Lopez, Marc Rzepczynski, Robby Scott, Matt Andriese and Braden Shipley are among those still in the mix for a big league job as a reliever. Rzepczynski and Green both pitched in Friday afternoon's game against the Angels in Tempe.

“They've all pitched really well, and they've all had a hiccup or two, which is to be expected in Spring Training and it hasn't been perfect, but aside from that, they've been lights out,” Lovullo said of the bullpen candidates. “I like those that are stepping up to get the job done. That's what we are seeing at their most critical time.”

In addition to Sherfy, the D-backs optioned right-handed pitcher Joey Krehbiel to Triple-A on Friday. The club also reassigned outfielders Andrew Aplin and Rob Refsnyder, along with catcher Tyler Heineman, to Minor League camp.

“[Sherfy] wasn't showing us his best stuff,” Lovullo said. “To get consistent work we thought it was the best thing for him right now to get out and go down and pitch and start to pitch every other day and really lock that down.”

Jones on track
Veteran outfielder Adam Jones is taking at-bats in a Minor League games to work on his timing and is expected to be ready for Opening Day.

The club wants to evaluate him before putting a plan in place and inserting him in a Cactus League game. It also doesn’t want Jones to injure himself by doing too much too soon.

“He has done an incredible job of getting here, getting grounded and getting the concepts thrown at him and understanding them,” Lovullo said. “He's such a good teammate that I don't think anything surprises him. He knows what we are asking him to do. He came in great shape.”

On Friday, Jones had two hits, including a home run and three walks in seven plate appearances.

“It felt amazing to be out there between the lines with the fellas,” Jones said. “A lot of guys out here trying to get their work in so they can get to the next level. The guys were awesome. It’s good to just be back in that batter’s box and moving in the direction towards getting my at-bats. Just getting caught up. I was able to get seven at-bats today.”

He said most years it usually takes between 50 to 70 at-bats to be ready, but it won’t take him nearly as many this spring.

“Twenty, 25 at-bats and I’m ready to roll,” Jones said. “I think the thing people don’t realize is that the hardest thing to do in Spring Training is to play defense. The reason being is running back and forth, things you haven’t done in a while, and then keeping your arm loose between innings. That’s really the big challenge of Spring Training. I think I get to do that tomorrow. I’ll be on the back fields again. It’s getting in season shape.”

Jones, who signed with the club Monday, is also scheduled to take 10 at-bats Saturday.

“I don't think he's going to be impacted by the short amount of time he's going to be here,” Lovullo said. “I think he is going to get himself ready.”

Kelly solid again
Merrill Kelly once again proved why he belongs in the starting rotation.

The right-hander didn’t allow a hit against the Angels on Friday -- a one-out single by Kole Calhoun -- until the third inning. One out later, Albert Pujols hit a two-run home run to put the Angels ahead, 2-0. Kelly’s only other hit allowed was a single by Matt Thaiss to lead off the fifth. He was replaced by Rzepczynski after the next hitter, Wilfredo Tovar, hit into a double play.

In the end, Kelly was charged with two runs in 4 2/3 innings. He walked one batter and struck out two in his second strong outing in a row. The 30-year-old struggled in his first two starts of spring, but responded with four scoreless innings against the Reds in the next outing.

Worth noting
• Jarrod Dyson (oblique) has been working out on the back fields and is on track to make the Opening Day roster, Lovullo said.

Up next
Koch is scheduled to pitch against the Cubs on Saturday at Salt River Fields, a 1:10 p.m. MST start time. Holland, Hirano, Chafin and Rubby De La Rosa are also scheduled to pitch.