As right-hander Archie Bradley continues to struggle, Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo is looking for other candidates to “step up” into late-inning relief roles.
Although Bradley’s lone earned run on Monday did not affect the outcome of the game — a 9-3 victory over Pittsburgh — it further reinforced the notion that Bradley (4.91 ERA) will not be counted on to pitch in high-leverage situations in the seventh or eighth inning.
“I’ve already explained that I’ve backed Archie out of that situation,” Lovullo said before Tuesday’s game against the Pirates at Chase Field.
Lovullo said he will look to right-handers Yoshihisa Hirano (5.