Zach Duke's arrival at spring training could be delayed because his wife is expecting a baby.

It shouldn't hold him back more than a few days, so the southpaw will still have plenty of time to get ready. Duke is slotted into the D-backs' rotation and will be looking to bounce back from a terrible 2010 season with the Pirates.

Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports that the Diamondbacks are nearing an agreement with left-hander Zach Duke.

The Diamondbacks traded for Duke in late November despite the ugly 8-15 record, 5.72 ERA and 1.65 WHIP that he posted over 29 starts for the Pirates in 2010. The D'Backs obviously feel they can work with the 27-year-old lefty and correct some of his flaws. No word yet on the financials.

Jack McGruder of FOXSportsArizona.com reports that Zach Duke will be non-tendered by the Diamondbacks on Thursday if the two sides are unable to reach a deal.

Duke was acquired from the Pirates last week, but the D-Backs were never a sure thing to keep him. The 27-year-old left-hander earned $4.3 million this past season while posting a 5.72 ERA and 1.65 WHIP over 29 starts. He'll either compromise on a new deal or be cut loose.

Diamondbacks acquired LHP Zach Duke from the Pirates for a player to be named later.

Duke has always been touted as a guy with a lot of talent, but it has never exactly translated to the mound. He posted an ugly 8-15 record, 5.72 ERA and 1.65 WHIP over 29 starts this past season for Pittsburgh, striking out only 96 batters and walking 51. He carries almost no fantasy value.

Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain-Dealer anticipates the Indians being interested in the recently designated for assignment Zach Duke.

The Indians have a lot of youth in their rotation, so Duke would make some sense as a potential innings-eater, but he's no lock to stabilize anything after posting a 5.72 ERA and 1.65 WHIP in 2010. That said, Duke has produced decent groundball rates and always throws strikes, so we wouldn't rule out him being a decent No. 5 starter in the right situation. Going to the AL probably isn't the right move, though.

Pirates designated LHP Zach Duke for assignment.

Duke had a decent 2009 season but otherwise has been one of the worst pitchers in baseball since his impressive rookie season. The southpaw posted a 5.72 ERA and 1.65 WHIP in 2010 and has a career K/9 rate of 4.7. He'll probably have to settle for a minor league deal with a spring training invite somewhere.

Zach Duke was drilled for nine runs -- four earned -- over four innings Thursday as the Pirates fell to the Marlins.

Par for the course. Duke, always touted as a talented kid, turned in an ugly 8-14 record, 5.72 ERA and 1.65 WHIP as a 27-year-old this season for the Pirates. It might be time for a change of scenery. He made $4.3 million last year via arbitration and won't be worth even a slight raise.

Zack Duke held the Astros to three earned runs over six innings Saturday, lifting the Pirates to a 6-4 victory.

Duke struck out three batters and walked only one while scattering seven hits. He's been absolutely atrocious this season -- for the most part, at least -- and currently stands 8-14 with a 5.63 ERA and 1.63 WHIP. But, hey, the last-place Pirates have won six of their last eight games.

Zach Duke will start Sunday's game against the Diamondbacks.

The Pirates had been considering removing Duke from the starting rotation. He was knocked around for eight runs in just 3 1/3 innings Tuesday in a loss to the Mets, but the Bucs don't really have a better option.

Pirates manager John Russell said that Zach Duke could be removed from the starting rotation.

"We'll consider what our options are," said Russell. "We'll talk about it more the next couple days." Duke was hammered for eight runs -- seven earned -- over 3 1/3 innings in a loss to the Mets on Tuesday night and now has a 5.78 ERA over 26 starts this season. It's looking less and less likely that the Pirates will tender him a contract this winter.

Zach Duke was chased for eight runs -- seven earned -- over 3 1/3 innings in a loss to the Mets on Tuesday night.

Duke was smoked for nine hits -- including a pair of homers in the third -- while walking one and striking out four. He has allowed a grand total of 11 runs over his last two starts (4 1/3 innings), increasing his ERA to 5.78 on the year. The southpaw is a prime candidate to be non-tendered this winter.

According to Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, there are "indications" that Zach Duke will be non-tendered in December.

It makes sense. For the price of $4.3 million this season, Duke is 7-13 with a 5.47 ERA. He's a lock to make even more in arbitration this winter. For once, this wouldn't be a case of the Pirates being cheap. They would be sensible to cut him loose.

Zach Duke lasted just one inning on Wednesday night, giving up four earned runs against the Braves.

Duke was riding a streak of consistent mediocrity, so we won't rip him too bad tonight. The bottom line is that his 5.47 ERA and 1.64 are his true colors. Duke is way off the fantasy radar.

Zach Duke gave up four runs over five innings in a win over the Nationals on Friday night.

Duke held the Nationals to just one run over the first five innings, but was pulled after allowing a run and then loading the bases in the sixth. Sean Gallagher proceeded to allow a pair of inherited runners to score, closing the book on Duke's night. Fortunately for him, the Pirates' offense stepped up against Livan Hernandez. The soft-tossing lefty remains an uninspiring option in fantasy, however. He'll get the Braves the next week.

Zach Duke limited the Mets to one run in seven innings to pick up a win today.

Duke struck out five and walked two. Today's outing was only the fourth time all year Duke has thrown at least six innings while allowing one or zero runs. Even with the Brewers and their struggles against southpaws due up next, Duke remains a fantasy non-entity.

Zach Duke allowed five runs over 5 2/3 innings in Tuesday's loss to the Marlins.

He allowed nine hits and two walks while striking out four. Duke has pitched better recently, entering play on Tuesday having given up three earned runs or fewer in five out of his last six starts, but reverted to previous struggles against the Fish. He fell to 5-12 with tonight's loss and has a 5.33 ERA, which he will bring into a matchup with the Mets next time out.

Zach Duke allowed three runs (two earned) over six innings in Thursday's loss to the Padres.

The southpaw gave up six hits, walked three and struck out a pair. Duke has permitted three earned runs or fewer in five out of his last six starts, which is a pretty dandy little streak for him. However, he fell to 5-11 with tonight's loss and has a 5.20 ERA and 1.60 WHIP. He's also struck out more than five batters in a start just once all season. The lefty will face the Marlins in his next start.

Pirates activated LHP Zach Duke from the 15-day disabled list.

Duke will start the Pirates' first game after the All-Star break, Friday against the Astros. He was placed on the disabled list in late June with a strained elbow and had a 5.79 ERA and 1.72 WHIP in 14 starts before the injury. He should be avoided in all fantasy leagues, even against Houston.

Zach Duke (elbow) will make his next minor league rehab start Double-A Altoona on Saturday.

The southpaw allowed one run over three innings in his first rehab start with Double-A Altoona on Monday night. Barring any setbacks, he is expected to return from the disabled list as soon as the second half resumes.

Zach Duke (elbow) allowed one run on three hits over three innings in his first minor league rehab start with Double-A Altoona on Monday night.

Duke threw 29 pitches while striking out one and walking none. He's expected to make a final rehab start before returning immediately after the All-Star break.