Gainesville's Owings misses spring start, not concerned

TUCSON, Ariz. -- Arizona right-hander Micah Owings skipped a scheduled start Monday because of a sore shoulder.

"Right now I'm just nipping it so I'll be ready to go here shortly," said the Gainesville High graduate after he was scratched from his start against Colorado.

Owings said he's had soreness in the back of the shoulder before and that he's confident it will subside soon.

"That's why I'm not too concerned about it," Owings said.

It's unclear when Owings will pitch again, but he said he expects it to be soon.

Owings gave up two earned runs, two hits and two walks in two innings in his first spring start last week.

Manager Bob Melvin said Owings made the decision to skip his start.

"It was kind of his call, to an extent," Melvin said. "I know he wants to be there for a long season, and if he can alleviate any problems right now, better off to do it right now."

Asked if he was concerned, Melvin said, "The concern is enough to where we're just taking him out of there and trying to alleviate the problem rather than have him go out there and have it linger."

Right-hander Dustin Nippert started in Owings' place against Colorado on Monday.