Ortiz was removed from the starting rotation Monday, one day after lasting just 1 2/3 innings against the Dodgers. That followed his previous start in which he was able to go just 2 1/3 before having to leave due to a cramp in his right calf.

For the season, Ortiz is 0-3 with a 6.91 ERA and he was 5-11 with a 6.89 ERA in 22 games last year after signing a four-year, $33 million contract.

"We feel like we need to see some results and we just haven't seen the results," manager Bob Melvin said in explaining the decision. "I don't want to run this guy down, but it's just something that we feel like to be more competitive that we have to do."

Melvin met with Ortiz upon his arrival at the ballpark to inform him of the decision and described Ortiz's reaction as one of "surprise."

Ortiz was unavailable for comment prior to the game and was seen heading back into the clubhouse with Melvin and general manager Josh Byrnes presumably for another meeting as the door to the manager's office was closed for some time afterwards.

With the D-Backs having an off-day on Thursday, Ortiz's next turn in the rotation would have been Saturday, but Brandon Webb will pitch that day on his regular rest. The question is who will start next Thursday against the Cubs.

"We're going to consider all our options," Melvin said.

If the Diamondbacks decide to fill the spot with a pitcher currently on the team, it will be right-hander Juan Cruz. They could also dip down to Triple-A Tucson for Dustin Nippert or Kevin Jarvis. Enrique Gonzalez and Edgar Gonzalez could also be candidates.

"We'll see," Byrnes said. "Right now we just want to get through the next three and collect ourselves and heading into Friday determine the reconfiguration of our staff."

The only thing for certain right now is that the rotation won't include Ortiz for the near future.

"It's a results-based industry and we've given it some time and we just don't feel like we're getting the results," Melvin said.

Mind games: No one is closer to Ortiz than catcher Johnny Estrada, who was also his teammate in 2003 and 2004 in Atlanta.

Prior to hearing that Ortiz was out of the rotation, Estrada talked about what might be causing Ortiz's ineffectiveness.

"It seems like when he's out there a couple of guys get hits, he walks a guy and the Russ [Ortiz] I knew in Atlanta, stuff like that would happen and he'd make pitches," Estrada said. "He would become a better pitcher. Now it's almost like we're waiting for stuff to go bad. Waiting for the floodgates to open instead of making the pitches and shutting the door.

"I don't think it has to do with anything physically or mechanically I think he's just going through some things mentally and putting a lot of pressure on himself."

I mean it this time: Shortstop Craig Counsell should be back in the lineup on Tuesday.

Counsell said he felt 100 percent, but Melvin said he planned all along to give Counsell one more day after Counsell said he was ready to go.

"Hamstrings are tough," Melvin said. "If you do that again, you're looking at the DL."

Grims to the rescue: Right-hander Jason Grimsley is a reliever, but he's pitched more than some of the team's starters of late.

Grimsley worked 3 1/3 innings Sunday in relief of Ortiz, and three days before that tossed 4 1/3 innings in relief of Claudio Vargas. In both instances, Grimsley kept the opposition at bay and allowed the D-Backs to climb back into both contests.

"I'll do whatever they need," said Grimsley, who began his big-league career in 1989 as a starter.

"Those are two games where he comes in and you're looking just to finish the games and all of a sudden he makes them competitive where we have a chance," Melvin said.

Up next: The Diamondbacks and Padres face off in the second game of this three-game set Tuesday with Vargas taking on Padres ace Jake Peavy.

Vargas has struggled in his last two outings lasting just six innings and allowing 11 earned runs. That contrasts with his first start of the year in which he tossed six scoreless frames.