NEW YORK -- The D-backs added Clay Buchholz to their roster Sunday so the right-hander could start the series finale at Citi Field. Buchholz ended up throwing five-plus innings, allowing just one run on two hits in an eventual 4-1 loss to the Mets.
To make room for the veteran right-hander, the D-backs optioned reliever Jimmie Sherfy to Triple-A Reno, and they opened up a spot on their 40-man roster for Buchholz by transferring Randall Delgado from the 10-day to the 60-day disabled list.
Sherfy's performance did not warrant a demotion. The right-hander was unscored upon in three appearances since his recall from Reno and he has not allowed a run in 12 2/3 big league innings dating back to last year.
In Saturday night's game, Sherfy came in with the bases loaded in the sixth and got the only batter he faced to pop out.
"He came in [during] a huge part of the game yesterday, and got a big out, and that seems to be something that he's comfortable with," D-backs manager Torey Lovullo said. "We know he's capable of getting those big outs, so to have to send him [down], it's not a great feeling for me. We know that that's part of the game, and we needed the spot for Clay, and [Sherfy] understood. He said, 'Look, I understand the game, I'm going to go down and be ready and make sure I'm in the situation again for when the need arises.'"
Delgado, who is working his way back from elbow and oblique issues, has been on the disabled list since Spring Training, so moving him to the 60-day disabled list will not impact his progression at all, because the time he has already spent on the DL counts toward the 60 days.
More time for Murphy?
John Ryan Murphy, who smacked a two-run homer and drove home a run with a single in Saturday night's game, is hitting .308/.341/.667 in his starts this year, and it appears he could get more of them going forward.
"Yes, I'm taking notice of what he's doing," Lovullo said. "Is there going to be a change? Possibly. But I need to sit guys down and have conversations with them before any type of movement is made in that area. It's just a thought I'm having right now."
For the second year in a row, the D-backs have gone with a three-man rotation behind the plate, with Murphy, Jeff Mathis and Alex Avila sharing time.
Avila, who is hitting .132, has gotten 20 starts. Mathis (.190) has gotten 15 starts, while Murphy has received 10.