Cloyd optioned to Triple-A after strong debut

PHOENIX -- Minutes after turning in an impressive season debut Friday against the D-backs, Tyler Cloyd was optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley following the Phillies' 3-2 loss.

With two off days coming in the next six days, Philadelphia will go with a four-man rotation until the club needs a fifth starter again on May 21 vs. the Marlins.

"They don't need a starter for a while, might as well go down there and keep pitching well," Cloyd said. "Hopefully, the next opportunity they have, I can come back up and do well."

Cloyd worked 6 1/3 innings Friday, allowing two runs on two hits while striking out four.

In his place, the Phillies called up Justin De Fratus for an extra arm in the bullpen. The right-hander, who will be in Arizona on Saturday, has a 1.89 ERA in 19 innings with Lehigh Valley this season.