Allen willing to do 'whatever' D-backs need from him
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This story was excerpted from Steve Gilbert’s D-backs Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.
SAN FRANCISCO -- After Tuesday night’s extra-inning, 12-11 win over the Cubs, it looked like the D-backs had solidified their No. 5 spot in the rotation. Lefty Tommy Henry, who struggled that night, was optioned to Triple-A Reno along with reliever Luis Frías.
In their place, the D-backs called up lefty Logan Allen and righty Justin Martinez (Arizona’s No. 27 prospect, per MLB Pipeline). With Ryne Nelson winning the No. 5 spot in the rotation over Henry, it seemed like Allen would provide some insurance in the bullpen and then return to Reno when Jordan Montgomery got called up to start Friday’s game.
Things change quickly in baseball, though, and a line drive off the bat of Mike Yastrzemski in the second inning upended those plans. The liner hit Nelson in his right elbow, forcing him to leave the game and the D-backs to place him on the injured list on Friday.
Allen, meanwhile, came in and was outstanding, allowing just one run over 4 2/3 innings.
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“We were in a spot to win that game because of what he did,” D-backs manager Torey Lovullo said. “He was awesome. He pitched into the seventh inning and was emotionally probably gassed out [there]. Even though his pitch count was low, but he went out and attacked hitters and kept us in the game. It was a great effort.”
Whether it was enough to mean that Allen would start when Nelson’s spot in the rotation comes up again is unclear.
Allen, who was signed to a Minor League deal in December and invited to Spring Training as a non-roster player, said he was ready to do whatever was needed.
“I told Torey, ‘Whatever you need I'll do it,’” Allen said. “I'll do it and whatever is best for the team. You know, first and foremost, I just want to win. Being on a team like this, it's a winning organization, a winning team, so whatever happens I’m on board and ready for it either way.”