PHOENIX -- D-backs right-hander Zack Godley said he understands manager Torey Lovullo’s decision to shift him from the rotation to the bullpen.

Lovullo made the announcement Tuesday after Godley compiled a 7.58 ERA in his first six starts of the year.

“I respect Torey’s decision,” Godley said. “I forced him to make a decision and I’ve just got to pitch better. It’s an opportunity for me to go back to what I did starting out and get back to doing what I do best, and that’s being aggressive, getting ahead of guys and getting guys out. It’s one of those things where I understand it, and all I can do is take advantage of the opportunity I have right now.”

Godley has some experience pitching out of the bullpen with 23 of his 101 career games in the big leagues coming in a relief role.

The 29-year-old will work with pitching coach Mike Butcher in the meantime as he tries to rediscover the form that made him a valuable starter for the D-backs over the previous two seasons.

Command has been an issue for Godley, who has walked 18 in 29 2/3 innings this year.

“I’ve never been a guy who’s been able to locate really well, but I’ve always been in and around the zone,” Godley said. “What’s going on right now is one of those things I have to work through, and Butch and myself have a plan to work on it. Hopefully we can do that moving forward. There’s quite a few things Butch and I have been working on, and a lot of that is between him and I.”

Lovullo has yet to say who will take Godley’s spot in the rotation.