Diamondbacks option RHP Owings

Jul 29, 2008 - 11:17 PM SAN DIEGO (Ticker) -- A stint in the bullpen did not help Micah Owings, so he is headed to the minors.

The Arizona Diamondbacks optioned the struggling righthander to Class AAA Tucson of the Pacific Coast League on Tuesday.

The 25-year-old Owings was rocked for eight runs and six hits in three innings of an 8-5 loss to the San Diego Padres on Monday - his first start in nearly three weeks. The 6-5, 220-pound Owings started the season 5-1 with a 3.81 ERA in his first five starts but was regulated to the bullpen after going 1-7 with a 7.92 ERA in his next nine outings.

Owings is 6-9 with a 5.93 ERA in 18 starts this season. One of the better hitting pitchers in baseball, Owings was often used a pinch hitter. He hit .288 (15-for-52) with one home run and three RBI.

In a corresponding move, the Diamondbacks recalled righthander Jailen Peguero from Tucson.