On Saturday, the Arizona Diamondbacks made a roster move, just a day after Joe Saunders missed his start with shoulder stiffness. The team placed him on the 15-day disabled list and called up right-handed reliever Jonathan Albaladejo, who has had a short stint this season with the major league club already.
Saunders began warming up on Friday for his start against the Chicago Cubs, but was unable to get loose and Josh Collmenter made the start in his place.
He was throwing the ball well on Saturday and was going to see team doctors, but the team decided to make a move. He will have to miss at least one more start.
While there are trade rumors swirling surrounding Saunders, it appears that nothing is imminent.
It was also speculated that moving Saunders would signal the call up of Trevor Bauer. That is not happening now. However, the calling up of Albaladejo does not eliminate that possibility.
With Josh Collmenter unavailable out of the bullpen for a few days after pitching four innings on Friday, the D-backs needed someone to be able to fill a long relief role. With Saunders spot not coming up for at least another five days (with an off day on Monday, the team does not technically even need a fifth starter this time around), it is completely possible that Albalabejo gets sent back down and Bauer gets brought up to make his major league debut.
Likewise, Collmenter could get the start and Albaladejo stays in the pen.
Since manager Kirk Gibson has really grown to like Collmenter out of the pen, signs point to either skipping Saunders' turn this time around or bringing someone up.
However, Gibson said in his pregame press conference Saturday that "it is to be determined." Bauer is an option, so is Collmenter and don't forget Patrick Corbin, who already has started in the majors for Arizona. Corbin is a bit more polished than Bauer in all facets of pitching, while Bauer has been dominating, but still needs to learn the finer points of the game in pitch efficiency and managing a game.
Whatever the decision is, it will come in the next few days.
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