Edgar

Gonzalez

Manager Al Pedrique said he doesn’t want the rookie right-hander’s confidence to be shattered, but added Gonzalez will eventually start again. Until then, Casey Fossum, Lance Cormier, and Steve Randolph will round out the bottom of one of the ugliest rotations in memory.

2001 second-round pick Mike Gosling will replace Gonzalez, who is 0-9 with a 9.12 ERA, in the rotation.

Manager Al Pedrique said he and the coaching staff have seen enough improvement in Gonzalez during his four previous outings not to make changes, so long as the pitcher’s psyche wasn’t destroyed from the 10 run shellacking he took Friday night. With an 0-8 record and 9.64 ERA his numbers speak for themselves from a fantasy perspective.

Gonzalez, 20, is rated Arizona’s sixth-best prospect by Baseball America. He was 2-2 with a 3.50 ERA and 30 strikeouts in 36 innings at Double-A.

Gonzalez, who pitched a shutout on Sunday, is next in line for a spot in the Arizona rotation.

Gonzalez, who has an 8.58 ERA in 12 starts and eight relief appearances as a major leaguer, was taken out of his start at Triple-A Tucson after just one inning so he would be fresh for Thursday. Scott Hairston could be sent to the disabled list to make room for him. Gonzalez is a poor bet to have any fantasy value.

He had allowed just one run through five. Gonzalez struck out six and walked none today, but of the nine hits he gave up, five went for extra bases. While he’s probably earned himself another start, he’s unlikely to have any value in NL-only leagues.

The Diamondbacks need to figure out whether Edgar should have any role in their plans for 2007. Enrique is the better bet going forward, but his demotion is well deserved. Edgar shouldn’t have any fantasy value.

The runs scored on solo homers from Joe Borchard and Miguel Cabrera. Gonzalez was making a spot start tonight because of the doubleheader over the weekend. He might spend the rest of the year in the pen unless the D’Backs choose to have him replace Enrique Gonzalez.

“We’ll see how it goes, but he’s certainly pitched well enough to warrant another one,” Melvin said. Gonzalez will need an injury for a rotation spot to open up.