PHOENIX -- Taylor Clarke will be called up from Triple-A Reno on Saturday and start that night’s game against the Giants.

Clarke was placed on the D-backs’ taxi squad Friday, which allows a player to be at the ballpark but then he must be activated for the next day’s game. Starting Clarke on Saturday means that Merrill Kelly will be pushed back to Sunday and Zac Gallen from Sunday to Monday.

Clarke is replacing Robbie Ray, who was placed on the 10-day injured list Thursday with back spasms. Ray’s normal turn in the rotation would be Monday, but Clarke already will be working on extra rest. He last started for Reno on Aug. 10, and the team didn’t want him to have too much extra rest.

“Look, Taylor deserves this opportunity,” D-backs manager Torey Lovullo said. “He had been throwing the ball extremely well before he was sent out, so I know he’s excited to be back here and I’m excited to see what he can help us out with.”

Clarke has appeared in 14 games, 13 starts, in four previous stints with the D-backs this year. The right-hander was optioned to Reno on Aug. 5. In his final three starts before his demotion, Clarke was 2-0 with a 2.65 ERA.