Diamondbacks notebook: Owings may be 5th starter but begin season in minors

TUCSON - The Diamondbacks are considering a scenario in which Micah Owings starts the season in the minor leagues … and is still the D-Backs’ No. 5 starter. The D-Backs have discussed keeping 14 position players and 11 pitchers on the opening-day roster, and then purchasing Owings’ contract for the April 6 start at Washington.

Such a move would enable the D-Backs to keep at least two players from among Robby Hammock, Dave Krynzel and Brian Barden, and all three if Carlos Quentin (shoulder) begins on the disabled list.

One would be replaced by Owings five days into the season.

“It’s just another option. It’s something we’ve talked about, but nothing’s been settled on yet,” manager Bob Melvin said, without specifying the players involved.

Owings, Enrique Gonzalez and Dana Eveland are considered the leading candidates for the final spot in the rotation, with one of them a candidate for the bullpen when Randy Johnson returns from the disabled list in mid to late April.

YIN AND YANG

Melvin sees some irony in the pitching order tonight, when Owings is to follow starter Johnson in the exhibition game against San Diego at Chase Field.

“Randy being the elder statesmen and Micah being the up-and-comer that we think is going to have a sensational career with us,” Melvin said.

“I think it’s pretty exciting that both of these guys are going to be throwing in the same game, especially in front of our home crowd.”

There will be no symbolic passing of the torch.

“If (Johnson) passes a torch, he’s probably got a few more sitting in his locker that he’s going to keep lit,” Melvin said.

SWING PLANE

The D-Backs have talked to max-effort Quentin about controlling his swing in the early stages of his return from a left labrum tear.

“When you hit a certain way, it’s tough to change,” said Quentin, who took live batting practice for the first time since the injury Wednesday and is expected to play in a minor league game today.

The D-Backs also want Quentin to be conscious of swinging at high-inside pitches, the kind of pitch on which he suffered his injury against Oakland on March 16.

“That’s one adjustment I can make — don’t swing at high-inside pitches,” said Quentin, adding he is “still holding out” for being ready for opening day.

“We feel like potentially we have the at-bats to give him to get him ready. I’d say it’s 50/50 right now,” Melvin said.

NIPPERT MAKES A STATEMENT

Although rotation candidate Dustin Nippert appears likely to open the season at Triple-A Tucson, he threw five shutout innings in his final spring start Wednesday to lower his spring ERA to 2.30.

“I made a statement to myself. I can throw my pitches for strikes,” said Nippert, who worked on mechanical adjustments this spring. “The rest is up to them. I can’t do anything about it.”

SHORT HOPS

Livan Hernandez threw 70 pitches in six innings of a minor league game Wednesday, his final work before starting against Colorado on April 3, and then threw 30 more in the bullpen. “I’m ready to roll,” said Hernandez, who got his glove in front of his face just in time to avoid being hit by a line drive by the first batter of the game. Hernandez had a 13.06 ERA in three spring games, giving up 24 hits in 10 1/3 innings. “You don’t come into spring training thinking you will have a 0.50 ERA,” Hernandez said. …

The D-Backs claimed outfielder Jeff Salazar off waivers from Colorado and optioned him to Triple-A Tucson. Salazar, 26, hit .283 in 53 at-bats in his first trip to the major leagues last September. His acquisition brings the D-Backs to the roster limit of 40.

ON DECK

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What: On their return to the Valley, the Diamondbacks play split-squad games against the Chicago Cubs at 12:05 p.m. at HoHoKam Park and San Diego at 6:40 p.m. at Chase Field. Randy Johnson is scheduled to pitch the first three innings of the night game.

TV/radio: KTAR (92.3 FM)

Pitchers: Diamondbacks: Doug Davis, Brandon Lyon, D.J. Carrasco, Jose Valverde.

Cubs: Wade Miller Diamondbacks: Randy Johnson, Micah Owings. Padres: Mike Thompson

Records: D-Backs 18-10, Cubs 15-12, Padres 15-12

AT A GLANCE

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D-Backs 8, White Sox 0

Notable pitching: Rotation contender Dustin Nippert pitched five shutout innings, giving up four hits, all singles, while mixing in his change-up to right-handed hitters. … Tony Pena had two scoreless innings. … Doug Slaten got Jim Thome to hit into a double play to end a scoreless eighth.

Notable hitting: Scott Hairston singled to extend his hitting streak to 11 games. … Tony Clark has home runs in consecutive games and also doubled, driving in three runs by the third inning.