PHOENIX -- D-backs manager Torey Lovullo wants to wait until after Zack Greinke's next start to "officially" name him as the team's starter for the National League Wild Card Game on Oct. 4.
Greinke was scheduled to start Wednesday's series finale against the Giants, but Braden Shipley will take his place instead, with Greinke starting Friday against the Royals.
By aligning things that way, Greinke gets a couple of extra days' rest before facing the Royals, but would be on regular rest when he starts the Wild Card Game.
With the D-backs still discussing the composition of the Wild Card Game roster and what the roster might look like for the NL Division Series, they have moved Taijuan Walker's start from Friday to Saturday and have not decided who will start Sunday.
The D-backs' opponent in the Wild Card Game -- the Rockies, Brewers and Cardinals are still in the running -- could influence the decision.
"We want to see what happens with the second Wild Card team," Lovullo said of why they hadn't named a Sunday starter. "Maybe holding back somebody for a bullpen matchup. So without going too much further about Sunday's starter, we just want to make sure that we have the exact pieces that we need for Wednesday's [Wild Card Game] ready to go."
Saturday would have been Patrick Corbin's turn, while Sunday's would have been Zack Godley.
Trying to figure out who will be on the roster for the Wild Card Game is the main focus for the D-backs right now, and with only two starters needed -- Greinke and whomever would back him up in case of injury or early exit -- they can add extra position players.
"This Wild Card roster, we're just throwing things out at one another just trying to figure things out as a staff," Lovullo said. "It's just such a new ingredient to us that's it's confusing to us right now."
One of the five D-backs starters will come out of the rotation work out of the bullpen should they make the NLDS.
Whomever that ends up being, Lovullo ideally would like to have him make one relief appearance prior to the postseason.
"Finding their way to the bullpen and getting an outing is important because it's a totally different animal," Lovullo said. "Getting ready, being ready for five or six innings of the game, that's a whole new mindset."