Jul. 6, 2012; Phoenix, AZ, USA: Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Josh Collmenter throws in the third inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Chase Field. Image: Mark J. Rebilas-US PRESSWIRE

D-Backs’  Manager Kirk Gibson has announced that Trevor Bauer  will remain in the rotation with Josh Collmenter going back to the bullpen.  Joe Saunders was activated and started Saturday’s game against the Cubs.  To make room for Saunders, the team sent Patrick Corbin back to Triple A Reno where he will once again be placed in the starting rotation.

I thought there may have been an outside chance that Bauer would have been the one sent down. The team can definitely use the extra arm in the bullpen as three relievers (Brad Ziegler, David Hernandez and Bryan Shaw) all have at least 34 appearances thus far this season. Corbin had pitched well out of the ‘pen since his recall and Collmenter seems to fare better when pitching in relief having to face batters only once per game. His ERA is 2.70 against the first nine batters faced and over 6.00 for the next 18 hitters.

Unless he completely flops, I would expect Bauer to remain in the rotation for the rest of the season. Daniel Hudson is done until next season and Saunders could be traded by or on July 31st if Arizona stumbles out of the gate. Hopefully, Friday’s 8-1 loss in Chicago is not a harbinger of things to come.

Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter @venomstrikes

Follow me on Twitter @ltj41 and at http://clearthebases.net