D-Backs notebook: Upton Tucson-bound for rehabilitation

A day after taking his first outdoor batting practice since suffering an oblique injury on July 9, Justin Upton reported all systems were up and running.

Diamondbacks manager Bob Melvin said Upton will join Triple-A Tucson on a rehab assignment. The Diamondbacks travel to Colorado on Monday and begin a three-game series Tuesday with the Rockies, the same day the Sidewinders open a series at Colorado Springs.

Chipper powers Braves as D-Backs lose 3rd straight

Until then, he'll continue to take daily batting practice.

Upton, who jumped from Double-A Mobile to the majors, would be in Tucson at least a week.

"I feel good, no problems," Upton said. "The goal now is to get through with no pain or soreness each day. It's been frustrating having to watch games. I'd rather come back healed and try to help the team, and not push too early and hurt myself again."

BULLPEN TWEAKS

Tony Pena was hit hard by the Braves on Thursday night, to the tune of four hits and four runs in two-thirds of an inning.

He's allowed seven hits and five runs in his last 2 2/3 innings spanning three appearances.

So Melvin left open the possibility of more bullpen shuffling, especially with Juan Cruz deemed healthy. He pitched a scoreless inning Thursday, "the first outing he's really let it go," Melvin said.

Jon Rauch and Chad Qualls have also thrown in the late innings, and the minor shuffling may continue.

"I think if we need to do something different, whether it's tweak an inning or two, we can certainly do that," he said. "We have enough arms down there and enough guys we feel are guys who can pitch in close games, so if I need to give Tony a soft landing (nonpressure situation) or two I can do that."

A BREATHER

Including an upcoming day off Monday, the Diamondbacks will have a day off each week for the next five weeks, followed by 17 consecutive games to end the regular season.

In trying to take advantage of the rotation's recent health and success, Melvin will push back the rotation by a day, meaning Thursday starter Yusmeiro Petit will rest for a week.

Otherwise, starting pitchers will see at least four days of rest between starts so as to go deeper into games down the stretch while getting adequate rest.

"I think we're ready coming up toward the end of the season, to be able to do that and pitch on a regular turn," Melvin said of four days off between starts. "For the most part these guys would rather do that. It's just (coaches) being more proactive in getting them rest and we're getting to the point of the season where we can do this comfortably."

SHORT HOPS

With the team struggling offensively for the better part of the series' first two games, Melvin moved Conor Jackson up to No. 2 and put Mark Reynolds in the cleanup spot. Melvin also wanted to break up the right-handed hitters since the Braves had three available left-handers in the bullpen. ... Coyotes All-Star and captain Shane Doan visited with the Diamondbacks during Friday's batting practice. ... Braves starter Tim Hudson underwent Tommy John surgery on Friday. Hudson, 33, was in the midst of a rebound season. He was 11-7 with a 3.17 ERA in 23 appearances (22 starts), and is hoping to return next August.

Today's game

When: 5:10 p.m.

Where: Chase Field

TV/Radio: FSN Arizona/KTAR (620 AM)

Line: Arizona 145-155

Records: Atlanta 54-62, D-Backs 59-57

Probable starters: Atlanta's Jair Jurrjens (10-7, 3.12 ERA) joins Friday starter Jorge Campillo among surprising Braves starters. He made seven starts in Detroit last year before being acquired by the Braves in the offseason. Jurrjens has a 2.92 ERA on the road.

Arizona's Dan Haren (12-5, 2.75) has won four straight starts and has an MLB-best 1.93 ERA since June 1, and is 2-0 with a 5.40 ERA in two career starts against Atlanta.