Cabrera goes on IL; D-backs' rotation in flux

PHOENIX -- As expected, the D-backs placed infielder Asdrúbal Cabrera on the 10-day injured list with a strained right hamstring on Friday and recalled outfielder Nick Heath from Triple-A Reno.

Cabrera sustained the injury while stealing second base in the sixth inning of Thursday night's loss to the Marlins.

It is the latest in a series of injuries that have robbed the D-backs of key contributors both offensively and on the mound. It remains to be seen how Arizona will shift things around to compensate for the loss of Cabrera, who played third, second and first base while being one of the team's top hitters.

"I wish I could give you a firm answer on that," D-backs manager Torey Lovullo said. "I don't know. I think, right now, we're all just trying to put one foot in front of the other and focus on today's lineup. I'm used to having a lineup built several days out, but that is not the case right now, and we feel very good with the type of players that we have. They complement one another, they're very versatile."

Cabrera started at first base Thursday in place of Christian Walker, who was placed on the injured list a day earlier with discomfort in his right oblique. On Friday, Josh VanMeter started at first in the series opener against the Nationals.

Pavin Smith will get time at first, as well as in the outfield, as the D-backs look to keep his bat in the lineup. Josh Rojas could see even more time at second base, or Andrew Young, who started there Thursday and Friday nights, could get a longer look.

Rotation in flux
The D-backs' rotation is also a bit up in the air at the moment, with Zac Gallen (right UCL sprain) and Taylor Widener (right groin strain) on the injured list.

Right-hander Seth Frankoff is being called on for a start Saturday against the Nationals as a way of giving Arizona's other four starters -- Madison Bumgarner, Luke Weaver, Merrill Kelly and Riley Smith -- an extra day of rest this time through the rotation.

Right-hander Matt Peacock made an emergency start Wednesday in place of Gallen, and Lovullo has not said whether Peacock will remain in the rotation.

"Given the set of circumstances that we've been dealing with, with some of our starting pitching, we felt like it would give us a little bit of a blow for those that are still healthy and throwing the ball really well," Lovullo said. "Seth has been doing a good job. He had a tremendous Spring Training, he opened some eyes there and we felt like he was a very good candidate for that spot."

By having Frankoff start Saturday, it allows the D-backs to push Bumgarner back to Monday, when he would face the Dodgers in Los Angeles.