PHOENIX -- Right-hander Matt Andriese will start for the D-backs against the Cubs tonight in place of the injured Clay Buchholz, who will miss the rest of the season due to a flexor strain in his right elbow.
Andriese was acquired prior to the July 31 Trade Deadline and made 12 relief appearances in which he compiled a 7.31 ERA.
The D-backs sent him to Class A Advanced Visalia late last month to get one start in hopes of stretching him out to use as a long man or spot starter down the stretch.
Andriese got the nod over right-hander Matt Koch, who took Buchholz's place on Thursday afternoon in Colorado after Buchholz experienced elbow stiffness 26 pitches into his pregame bullpen session.
"We just wanted to take a look at Matt and see what he could offer us," D-backs manager Torey Lovullo said of Andriese.
As to what will happen the next time through the rotation, that's still to be determined. The D-backs have an off-day on Thursday, which would allow them to tinker with the rotation.
"If it looks good, then we will consider it again, and if not, we'll go back to the drawing board and try it again," Lovullo said. "We really haven't firmed anything up beyond these next three days."
Andriese made four starts for the Rays earlier this season as part of their "opener" strategy in which they use a reliever to start the game and go through the order once before bringing in another pitcher.
Andriese was on a 40-45-pitch limit during his Minor League start.
"We could push a little bit further than that," Lovullo said. "I might look at it as how many times through the order, maybe a certain matchup at a certain time I may turn it over to the bullpen."