PHOENIX -- The D-backs recalled infielder Ildemaro Vargas from Triple-A Reno on Tuesday and optioned right-hander Bo Takahashi to Double-A Jackson.

Takahashi had been called up Sunday to give the team an extra arm in the bullpen, but did not get a chance to make his big league debut before being sent back to Jackson.

Vargas has appeared in 70 games for the D-backs this year, hitting .260 with seven doubles, five homers and 20 RBIs.

Speaking of bullpen arms

Right-hander Taylor Clarke will be shifted from the rotation to the bullpen.

The move seems to indicate that left-hander Robbie Ray (lower back spasms) could return from the injured list in time to start as soon as the team’s final game in Milwaukee next weekend.

“If it works for Robbie, yes, obviously it’s great,” D-backs manager Torey Lovullo said. “If it doesn’t work for Robbie, we still have coverage with possibly Taylor being inserted into that spot as well. Just to give us a little more coverage, a little more length [in the bullpen] and see what that [Clarke’s] stuff looks like coming out of the bullpen. He’s thrown the ball extremely well here.”

Other injury news

• Ray threw a 35-pitch bullpen session Tuesday and said his back felt good.

• Right-hander Luke Weaver, who is on the injured list with a mild right flexor pronator strain and a mild right UCL sprain, had a 40-pitch bullpen session that Lovullo said was “very aggressive.”

“He’s in a good spot,” Lovullo said.