D-Backs notebook: Jackson out 1-2 days with cut finger

Conor Jackson took two stitches in his right index finger after being spiked on a play at home plate in the second inning, and he could miss another day or two.

Jackson made a head-first slide at the plate while trying to score on Carlos Quentin’s single to center field, and catcher Eliezer Alfonzo blocked the plate with his left foot instead of trying a swipe tag.

“You never slide head first at home. It’s the first time I did it. It was just a reaction,” said Jackson, whose right hand was swollen, although X-rays were negative.

Jackson, who was hit by a pitch in the left forearm to reach base, missed the San Diego series earlier in the week because of a hamstring injury. He is hitting .217 with no home runs and five RBIs and has five hits in his last 32 at-bats.

“Very frustrating,” he said.

DECISION NEARS

After pitching five shutout innings for Triple-A Tucson on Saturday and doing a conditioning run Sunday, Micah Owings said he felt no pain from the tender right hamstring muscle that landed him on the disabled list April 18.

“I don’t think I’ve ever missed a start. I didn’t know what to expect,” Owings said. “I was pretty pleased. I know I continue to do my rehab.”

Owings will throw his usual bullpen session today, then wait for the D-Backs to decide if he or Edgar Gonzalez will start Thursday against the New York Mets, the first day Owings is eligible to return from the disabled list.

“We’ll see what they do,” said Owings, who is 1-1 with a 2.93 ERA in three starts.

“Our reports are, he’s ready to go,” manager Bob Melvin said.

Owings also singled Saturday, and Melvin said he could use Owings and Livan Hernandez as pinch-hitters this season.

BYRNES GETS A DAY

And then there was one. Eric Byrnes did not start for the first time Sunday, although he entered to play left field in the ninth inning, leaving Orlando Hudson as the only D-Back to start every game.

Byrnes was 1-for-17 on the homestand, but Melvin said he had spoken to Byrnes several days ago about taking Sunday off, knowing the Dodgers were to start left-handers Randy Wolf today and Mark Hendrickson on Wednesday.

“A mental break and a physical break,” Melvin said. “We set this up. I really don’t like to give days off after bad days. It almost feels like punishment.”

HAMMOCK CATCHES

Robby Hammock made his second start of the season, both catching Randy Johnson, a battery that sounds as if it could become regular.

“It’s another way to get ‘Hammer’ some at-bats,” Melvin said, admitting it is difficult to find time for Hammock at first base with Conor Jackson and Tony Clark there.

“It’s a thing where he can prepare as a starter. Everybody is getting to play here. Everybody feels like they are involved.”

SHORT HOPS

Cardinals first-round draft choice Levi Brown, an offensive tackle from Penn State, was one of three to throw out a ceremonial first pitch Sunday. …

Right-hander Juan Cruz (shoulder) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session in Los Angeles, his first since going on the disabled list April 21.