Owings temporarily shut down to rest ailing shoulder

PHOENIX -- After shortstop Chris Owings saw a doctor on Friday, the D-backs elected to shut down their rookie infielder for the next three days, manager Kirk Gibson said Saturday.

Gibson didn't indicate that Owings had reinjured his left shoulder, which has kept him out since June 25. Instead, the additional down time will give Owings' shoulder a chance to heal.

Before he was shut down, Owings had been fielding and throwing, but he hadn't taken live batting practice.

"He's been sore, so we shut him down," Gibson said. "Just trying to get it kind of over the hump."

Gibson said Owings is getting close to returning, and the rookie shortstop is already eligible to be activated from the 15-day disabled list.

"He'll come back, and hopefully it'll be better," Gibson said.