The D-backs trimmed their Major League camp roster Sunday, optioning right-handers Silvino Bracho and Braden Shipley to Triple-A Reno and reassigning right-hander Joey Krehbiel and outfielder Cesar Puello to Minor League camp. The club also released catcher Josh Thole.
:: Spring Training coverage presented by Camping World ::
Shipley had been among those manager Torey Lovullo identified as competing for a long role in the D-backs' bullpen, but may ultimately be more valuable as a depth starter at Triple-A.
"He threw the ball very, very well," Lovullo said. "Those are tough send-outs, because he's competing for a spot in the bullpen. But we have our guys and we feel comfortable that where we're going to need him most would be as a starter. That's what we outlined to him today. He was frustrated. He had the right to be frustrated. But he'll get down there and do his job."
Bracho, 25, has logged three years with Arizona, recording a 5.46 ERA over 60 big league appearances. The righty had allowed six runs over eight innings of Cactus League action. The 26-year-old Shipley compiled a 5.40 ERA over 23 appearances (14 starts) for Arizona over the last two seasons and had permitted two runs over 5 1/3 innings for the D-backs this spring.
Arizona has 41 players remaining in its Major League camp following Sunday's moves.