Skaggs earns spot in D-backs' rotation

ST. LOUIS -- The D-backs have not officially announced that Tyler Skaggs will start Sunday against the Giants at Chase Field, but manager Kirk Gibson said the left-hander is staying in the rotation in place of the injured Brandon McCarthy.

McCarthy, who was placed on the disabled list last Saturday with right shoulder inflammation, had an MRI this week that confirmed the initial diagnosis. It is unknown exactly how long he will have to be out.

"In my mind, he'll be in the rotation," Gibson said of Skaggs. "We really have no other options. We're not going to send him down and go get somebody else. I haven't talked to [general manager Kevin Towers] but in my mind that's kind of where we're at."

Skaggs defeated the Rangers on May 27 when he tossed six scoreless innings, and he pitched Tuesday against a very good offensive team in the Cardinals.

Skaggs allowed five runs over 5 2/3 innings, but he could have gone six innings and gotten out with one less run had umpire Jordan Baker not missed a call at third base.

"I felt good," Skaggs said. "I felt like I threw the ball well. I made a few bad pitches here and there. I felt like I competed and kept the team in the game. The most important thing is that we won. It took us 14 innings, but we got it. It was a good team win."

Skaggs drew praise from 2011 World Series hero David Freese following Tuesday's game.

"Tyler's tough," Freese said. "He's a young guy, but knows exactly what he wants to do out there, especially against a tough lineup."