Escobar aiming to improve command

PHOENIX — They’d seen some video of him and read the Minor League reports, but until D-backs manager Chip Hale and pitching coach Mike Butcher actually got to see Edwin Escobar pitch, they weren’t sure what to expect.

Escobar made the first big league start of his career Monday afternoon and struggled with his command in an 8-3 loss to the Astros at Chase Field.

Escobar, 24, was claimed on waivers from the Red Sox on April 29, and he started five games for Triple-A Reno before getting the call to the big leagues. He also saw some big league action in 2014, when he made two relief appearances for Boston.

With starters Shelby Miller and Rubby De La Rosa on the disabled list, the D-backs needed some rotation help. Sunday it was Archie Bradley, who was called up from Reno, and Monday it was Escobar’s turn.

“We saw some good things,” Hale said of Escobar’s D-backs debut. “I talked to Butch during the game, and it’s hard that we didn’t have him in Spring Training — …

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