Diamondbacks notebook: Owings put on 15-day DL

SAN FRANCISCO - Diamondbacks pitcher Micah Owings went through a bullpen and fielding session before Friday’s game without a major incident, but the team took the cautious approach anyway and placed the starter on the 15-day disabled list.

Agility and fielding appeared to be the biggest hurdles toward convincing coaches of his perfect health, and since it’s April, the Diamondbacks didn’t feel the risk was worthwhile.

“He’s close, but we can’t take a chance there,” manager Bob Melvin said.

Owings was scheduled to start Sunday, and Melvin said the team was “leaning toward” bringing up Yusmeiro Petit from Tucson, “but anything is a possibility right now,” Melvin added.

With Owings out and Dustin Nippert sent back to Tucson following Thursday’s game, the D-Backs promoted pitchers Dana Eveland and Mike Schultz from Tucson.

Eveland went 1-0 with a 0.82 ERA in two starts for Tucson. He was brought up to add another lefty to the bullpen alongside Doug Slaten.

“This is where I want to be,” he said. “I’m a lot happier.”

Schultz, 27, was 0-1 with a 5.63 ERA in eight innings for Tucson, but gave up three of those runs in an April 18 relief appearance.

“Mechanically I was a little bit off, but I feel like I’m getting to where I need to be,” Schultz said. “It’s early in the season and I’m finding my mechanics and delivery, but getting more comfortable each time I’m on the mound.”

Melvin said Nippert will be back in the majors soon, but the team needed a long-inning reliever to at least get through to Monday’s off day.

Schultz got word of his promotion an hour before Thursday’s Sidewinders game, and arrived at AT&T Park by 2 p.m. Friday. His wife planned to fly into San Francisco Friday evening. His 16-month-old twins, Jake and Jordyn, stayed behind with their grandmother in Tucson.

This opportunity is extra sweet for Schultz, who missed two full seasons in the minors after undergoing two surgeries for a torn labrum in his shoulder.

“It just shows the hard work and never giving up pays off,” he said. “Having that mentality of no matter what, you’re going to make it.”

HAPPY MELVIN

Melvin was pleased with Randy Johnson’s start Thursday in Tucson, noting Johnson threw 94 miles per hour a few times, and had his slider working late in the game.

He said Johnson remains on track to join the team Tuesday or Wednesday, “but which day we do it we’re not sure yet.”

CHANGE-UP

Normally the leadoff hitter, Stephen Drew batted second on Friday to “take a little pressure off,” according to Melvin.