ST. PETERSBURG -- Outfielder Tim Locastro, officially optioned by the D-backs following Monday night’s 12-1 loss to the Rays, is headed back to Triple-A Reno. The move made room on the roster for Tuesday's starter, right-hander Taylor Clarke, who was recalled ahead of the 4:10 p.m. MST first pitch.

The move left Arizona with a four-man bench. Although a limiting factor some clubs seek to avoid, Blake Swihart, John Ryan Murphy, Ildemaro Vargas and Jarrod Dyson are as versatile as the D-backs are creative, making the move much less risky.

It will, however, be interesting to see what transpires once catcher Alex Avila (left quad strain) is ready to rejoin the roster.

Though that move could be as soon as this weekend against the Braves, D-backs manager Torey Lovullo wasn’t tipping his hand.

“We have a couple of different scenarios we’re walking through right now,” Lovullo said. “We’ve been giving our opinions on the shorter bench, or the extra pitcher, and we just haven’t come up with a conclusion yet.”

Locastro had joined the team on Friday prior to its series at Coors Field to give Arizona additional options in the outfield. In 12 games this season spread across two stints, the 26-year-old hit .235 (4-for-17) with a pair of walks and five runs scored.

Though his brief time up hasn’t yet reflected his power and capability, Locastro remains a viable option for future promotions as he has crushed the ball at Reno. He had three home runs and six RBIs against Fresno on April 25, and he is slashing .395/.458/.907 with three doubles, two triples, five homers and 12 RBIs for the Aces this season.

He also spent April 7-20 with the parent club and was optioned when the D-backs acquired catcher Blake Swihart from the Red Sox.

Walking wounded

• Avila caught six innings of an extended spring training game Tuesday and went 1-for-3 at the plate, and Lovullo confirmed his catcher could be back in action against Atlanta.

“[Catching back-to-back games] was a pretty big hurdle today, for me,” Lovullo said. “And the evaluation as to how he feels [Wednesday] will be another big hurdle.

“We miss his presence, his leadership, his calm demeanor, his bat, his ability to make adjustments behind the plate, control the pitcher-catcher situation … we miss him. He’ll be a welcome addition.”

• Lovullo also said Jake Lamb (left quad strain) is still “progressing on a positive track” in his rehab, but he said the team will err on the side of caution when advancing activity because of the severity of the strain.

Cron, Goddard collect hardware
After standout Aprils, the D-backs announced infielder Kevin Cron (Triple-A) and right-hander Jackson Goddard (Class A Kane County) had earned the organization’s Minor League Player and Pitcher of the Month Awards.

Cron’s 33 RBIs led the Minors in April, and he was tied for second with 11 home runs while compiling a .352/.442/.807 slash line.

Goddard, the D-backs’ No. 29 overall prospect per MLB Pipeline, finished April with a 0.41 ERA after allowing one run over five starts and closed the month with an 11-inning scoreless streak. The 22-year-old was a third-round Draft pick in 2018.

Honorary Bat Girl to throw out first pitch
Kate Rich was named the D-backs’ Honorary Bat Girl for MLB’s annual “Going to Bat Against Cancer” initiative. Rich will be recognized for her extraordinary commitment to the battle against breast cancer during a pregame ceremony and throw out the first pitch of Arizona’s game against the Braves on Mother’s Day Sunday -- May 12 -- at Chase Field.

• Buy tickets

The Vermont native, who was diagnosed with a genetic form of lung cancer on Nov. 19, 2018, was part of a team that raised more than $5,000 for the D-backs Race Against Cancer earlier this season. Rich’s team was the top fundraiser in the event, the proceeds of which go toward support services and research for others battling cancer.

Going to Bat Against Breast Cancer is a Major League Baseball initiative supported by MLB charitable partners, Stand Up To Cancer and Susan G. Komen. This initiative raises awareness about the breast cancer cause while also raising funds to support breast cancer research. For more information, please visit HonoraryBatGirl.com.