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The move was made as a precaution because of concern regarding starting pitcher Doug Davis' back, which stiffened up in his last outing Tuesday. Davis started Sunday's series finale against the Marlins, but Buckner was available to pitch in long relief just in case.

Arizona is now without a left-handed reliever, but Slaten will be with Tucson for only a week at most -- until rosters expand to 40 players on Sept. 1.

"If something were to happen to Doug, which we don't expect -- we expect him to be 100 percent and ready to go -- but if something were to happen, we do need some innings, and Buckner is a guy that's stretched out starters and should give us that," manager Bob Melvin said.

Davis had a string of three outings in which he allowed 16 runs over 11 innings -- all D-backs losses -- before turning the corner in his last start, where he allowed two runs in six innings against the Padres.

Should something happen to Davis and his back troubles become more serious than expected, the club's off-day Thursday will allow the rotation to be altered -- especially after the way fifth starter Yusmeiro Petit has pitched.

In two stints with the D-backs this season, Buckner is 1-0 with a 4.00 ERA over six games. For the Sidewinders, Buckner -- typically used as a starter -- was 5-10 with a 4.95 ERA in 21 appearances.

Mike Ritter is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

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