http://0rz.net/1e1u9 06/13/2006 9:52 PM ET Notes: Rotation spot up in the air Departure of Ortiz creates opening in D-Backs' staff PHOENIX -- The decision to designate right-hander Russ Ortiz for assignment leaves the Diamondbacks without a starting pitcher for Saturday when they travel to Texas to take on the Rangers. "We still have a decision to make for Saturday," manager Bob Melvin said. "We'll probably have some news as far as Saturday goes in the next day or so." If the D-Backs decide to go with someone currently on the staff, the likely choice would be Kevin Jarvis, who spent the first part of this year in the rotation for Triple-A Tucson. Since having his contract purchased on May 20, he has appeared in just four games, all in relief. If the D-Backs decide to dip into the farm system, the choice would probably be Edgar Gonzalez, who is 2-4 with a 3.75 ERA in 13 starts for Tucson. Gonzalez last pitched on Friday, which means his next turn in the rotation would be Wednesday. Right-hander Dustin Nippert, who started Wednesday, is not a candidate because he was optioned to Tucson the next day and a player who is optioned must remain in the Minors for 10 days unless he is recalled to replace an injured player. Injured pitcher update: Juan Cruz (shoulder) threw 30 pitches in a bullpen session that pitching coach Bryan Price said went very well. Cruz threw all of his pitches except for his cut fastball. If Cruz doesn't have any setbacks, his next step would be a more aggressive bullpen session of about 45 pitches Thursday followed possibly by an injury-rehab start. The club feels that Cruz might need just one such start before being activated. Meanwhile Terry Mulholland (inner ear infection) threw a simulated game before batting practice. "It went good," Mulholland said. "He was great," Price said of Mulholland. "Better than his last simulated game." Mulholland will be re-evaluated Wednesday. Lefty: With the purchase of Randy Choate's contract from Triple-A Tucson on Tuesday, the D-Backs have a left-handed specialist in the bullpen for the first time this year. The D-Backs did have a lefty in the bullpen in Mulholland between his DL stints, but he is more of a long man than specialist. Choate was 3-0 with five saves and a 2.45 ERA in 32 games for Tucson. "It's nice to have [a lefty] down there and Randy's been pitching great [in Tucson]," Melvin said. "He's gotten left-handers out, he's gotten right-handers out. [He] worked on some things that we felt like he needed to to get some left-handers out. We haven't had that dynamic and we're excited about bringing a guy in that can give us those tough at-bats for a left-hander." Signings: The D-Backs signed five more picks from last week's First-Year Player Draft including RHP Hector Ambriz (fifth round), RHP Chase Christianson (eighth round), outfielder Daniel Perales (22nd round) and outfielder Shane Byrne (25th round). In addition, the D-Backs signed non-drafted shortstop Jason Watson. The six were assigned to Rookie-level Missoula. Up next: The D-Backs take on the Giants in the second game of this three-game set Wednesday night with Matt Cain (4-5, 5.20 ERA) squaring off against Claudio Vargas (6-3, 5.34 ERA) at Chase Field. --

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