Trevor Cahill solid in pair of outings out of bullpen

LOS ANGELES – Manager Kirk Gibson likes what he's seen from Trevor Cahill in two appearances out of the bullpen, but Gibson doesn't sound like he's in any hurry to return Cahill to the starting rotation.

After closing out Friday night's win with a perfect inning to earn his first career save, Cahill tossed three more perfect innings on Saturday against the Los Angeles Dodgers. That's 12 up, 12 down with five strikeouts for Cahill, who had a 9.17 ERA in four starts before the Diamondbacks bumped him to the bullpen last week.

"He had great sinking action on his fastball," Gibson said. "His sinker was the sinker of old, and his breaking ball was really good.

"You could see his pace was good, his tempo was good, his mechanics were good and he kept the ball down. The breaking ball was breaking sharp down. So far it's been good. We're going to want to try to keep that going. We'll go from there."

In his four starts, Cahill issued 13 walks in 17 2/3 innings, throwing just 56 percent of his pitches for strikes. In the two relief outings, the strike percentage is up to 63 percent.

Still, Gibson didn't rule out the possibility of an eventual return to the rotation.

"I think if Trevor can throw that way and go deep into games, he'd be valuable as a starter," he said. "We're not there, but it would make sense that he would be valuable as a starter. He may be so valuable in the bullpen we don't move him out of there. I don't know. I can't look that far ahead and tell you how it's going to work out."

Status quo

Gibson said he has had no discussions with General Manager Kevin Towers about removing Mike Bolsinger from the rotation. He said Bolsinger is still on target to make his second start on Thursday at Wrigley Field.

In his first start on Saturday, Bolsinger tossed three scoreless innings against the Dodgers but gave up three runs in the fourth and was charged with four more (three earned) in a fifth inning in which he did not retire a batter.

Gibson did leave open the possibility of a change if the Diamondbacks bullpen were heavily taxed in the coming days and roster moves were needed.

Veteran option

Gibson was asked about the possibility of giving an opportunity to veteran left-hander Randy Wolf, whom the Diamondbacks signed to a minor-league deal earlier this month.

"A guy with experience who is throwing the ball good is a guy we would consider if we had a need," Gibson said.

Wolf made his second start for Triple-A Reno on Saturday, giving up two runs in five innings, allowing seven hits and three walks. Wolf has a 4.91 ERA in two start (11 innings) for Reno.

Up next

D-Backs at Cubs

When: 5:05 p.m., Monday.

TV/radio: FSAZ/KTAR-AM 620, KPKX-FM 98.7, KSUN-AM 1400

Pitchers: RHP Bronson Arroyo (1-1, 9.95) vs. Cubs LHP Travis Wood (0-2, 3.00).

Notable: Arroyo is coming off a miserable start against the Mets at Chase Field last week in which he gave up nine runs on 10 hits and a walk in 3 1/3 innings. He has yet to pitch more than five innings and has just six strikeouts in 12 2/3 innings. … Wood has not allowed more than three earned runs in any of his three starts, pitching at least 5 2/3 innings in each. Wood hasn't had much success against the Diamondbacks (6.33 ERA in five starts). Their current hitters are a combined 12 for 34 (.353) against Wood.

Projected starters

Tuesday: At Chicago, 5:05 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Brandon McCarthy (0-3, 7.11) vs. Cubs RHP Jason Hammel (2-1, 3.05).

Wednesday: At Chicago, 11:20 a.m., Diamondbacks LHP Wade Miley (2-2, 4.35) vs. Cubs RHP Jeff Samardzija (0-2, 1.29).

Thursday: At Chicago, 11:20a.m., Diamondbacks TBD vs. Cubs TBD.