Diamondbacks' Ryne Nelson: Rejoining rotation next week
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Nelson will re-enter the Arizona rotation as a replacement for the injured Eduardo Rodriguez (shoulder) and is expected to make his next start Monday or Tuesday versus the Dodgers in Los Angeles, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.
Nelson made a spot start for last Monday against the Mets in place of Corbin Burnes, but the former had since shifted back to a relief role this week after Burnes didn't require a stint on the injured list. During that start, Nelson tossed 30 pitches, and he's been able to stay fairly stretched out while working out of the bullpen for much of the season, throwing at least 50 pitches in four of his nine relief outings. Manager Torey Lovullo said Friday that he's comfortable with Nelson working in the 65-to-70 pitch range for a couple of starts before ramping up beyond that, though it's not clear how long Nelson will be needed in the rotation. He currently holds a 5.13 ERA but a 3.93 xERA and a 16.1 K-BB% over 26.1 total innings on the season.
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Diamondbacks' Ryne Nelson: Back in bullpen Saturday
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Nelson struck out one over two perfect innings to earn the save in Saturday's 3-0 win over the Dodgers.
Nelson's previous outing was a spot start Monday versus the Mets, in which he allowed two runs over 4.1 innings while covering the absence of Corbin Burnes (shoulder). Burnes returned to the mound Saturday and delivered seven shutout innings, and Nelson was able to close out the win, needing just 16 pitches (11 strikes) over the last two frames. While Nelson got this save, he's unlikely to be a regular in the high-leverage mix. He likely got the late-inning assignment Saturday because five of Arizona's other relievers had pitched at least once over the previous two days, while he was fresh. Nelson has a 5.01 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 23:8 K:BB, 1-1 record, one save and one blown save across 23.1 innings this season. He should settle back into a long-relief role.
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Diamondbacks' Ryne Nelson: Set for start Monday
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Nelson will start Monday's game against the Mets in Arizona, Jody Jackson of Bally Sports Arizona reports.
Nelson will get a turn in the rotation after the Diamondbacks decided to have Corbin Burnes (shoulder) skip a start while dealing with right shoulder inflammation. The right-hander made 25 starts for Arizona in 2024 but has worked exclusively out of the bullpen so far this season, logging a 5.82 ERA and 1.18 WHIP with 20 strikeouts over 17 innings in seven appearances. He got stretched out to four innings and tossed a season-high 68 pitches in his most recent relief outing ,ast Tuesday, so Nelson should be able to handle something close to a typical starter's workload Monday.
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Diamondbacks' Ryne Nelson: Needed for bulk relief
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Nelson walked two and struck out three over four hitless and scoreless innings in Tuesday's 8-3 loss to the Mets.
Starter Eduardo Rodriguez was chased after giving up eight runs over four innings. Enter Nelson, who threw his most innings (68 pitches) of the season. He's made seven appearances, six of more than three outs. Nelson was ambushed twice in couple of his outings, leaving him with a 5.82 ERA, but he has a tidy 20:4 K:BB through 17 innings.
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Diamondbacks' Ryne Nelson: Logs first win
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Nelson (1-0) allowed one run on two hits and struck out three over three innings of relief to pick up the win in Saturday's 5-4 victory over the Brewers.
Nelson held Milwaukee mostly in check until the Diamondbacks rallied for five runs in the bottom of the ninth inning, giving the right-hander his first win. Since an unsightly debut, Nelson has allowed one run on three hits while striking out seven over 8.1 innings as a multi-inning reliever. While he competed for a rotation spot in camp, if the Diamondbacks need a spot starter in the near future, he may not be a candidate as he likely wouldn't be able to last five innings without first being stretched back out.
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Diamondbacks' Ryne Nelson: Long arm in bullpen
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Nelson will remain stretched out as a reliever, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports. "(Nelson) is going to be able to provide us some length," Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said. "We feel like we've got some solid backup there just in case the starter doesn't give us what he needs to."
Nelson, who fell short in his bid to be the No. 5 starter, became the top long option out the bullpen following the news that Jordan Montgomery will undergo Tommy John elbow surgery. The Montgomery news also suggests that Nelson could be in line to start should a current member of the rotation require extended downtime due to injury. Nelson was a valued part of the rotation in 2024, when he improved in several underlying metrics (K:BB, K/9, BB/9, HR/9) compared to 2023.
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Diamondbacks' Ryne Nelson: Calm spring no longer
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Nelson allowed nine runs (eight earned) on 11 hits while striking out one over three-plus innings in Monday's Cactus League start against Kansas City.
Nelson's uneventful spring blew up in his fourth spring outing (third start). He was responsible for runs in all innings pitched and was chased after giving up four consecutive hits to lead off the fourth. The Royals were jumping on Nelson early in counts -- the right-hander threw just 55 pitches despite facing 19 batters. Nelson, who was a rotation regular in 2024, is competing for the fifth spot this spring.
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Diamondbacks' Ryne Nelson: Makes second spring start
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Nelson allowed one run on three hits while striking out three over 2.1 innings in Thursday's spring start against the Guardians.
Nelson toed the rubber for a second Cactus League start and worked up to 51 pitches (30 strikes). The battle for the final rotation spot kicked into high gear this week. Nelson followed Brandon Pfaadt, who started Wednesday, and Jordan Montgomery (finger) will make his spring debut Friday in what is expected to be a multi-inning relief appearance.
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Diamondbacks' Ryne Nelson: Logs two innings Friday
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Nelson allowed one hit and two walks while striking out one over two scoreless innings in Friday's spring game against Kansas City.
Nelson, making his Cactus League debut, followed starter Merrill Kelly, pitching the third and fourth innings. Nelson was a mainstay in the rotation the last two seasons -- and showed improvement in 2024 -- but he enters the spring in a battle for a rotation spot for a third consecutive season. His scoreless outing follows a similar one Thursday from Brandon Pfaadt, who is also competing for the same rotation spot along with Jordan Montgomery.
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Diamondbacks' Ryne Nelson: Has minor-league options
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Nelson still has minor-league options remaining and could open the season at Triple-A Reno, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports. Arizona has seven legitimate starters in camp competing for five spots.
For Nelson, who was second among starters in innings pitched in 2024, to not have a spot on lock seems odd, but the Diamondbacks have assembled plenty of rotation depth. Zac Gallen, Corbin Burnes, Merrill Kelly and Eduardo Rodriguez are set in the top four spots, with the fifth starter role coming down to Nelson, Brandon Pfaadt or Jordan Montgomery. Nelson and Pfaadt, who also has minor-league options left and led the Diamondbacks in innings in 2024, could start the year in the Aces' rotation, although Montgomery is a candidate to shift to a long-relief role.
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Diamondbacks' Ryne Nelson: Reinstated from IL
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The Diamondbacks reinstated Nelson (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list Thursday, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports
Nelson threw 28 pitches in his second bullpen session Tuesday following his first session of 16 pitches. With his return coming near the close of the season, it seems Nelson will be used as a multi-inning reliever, but it is possible he may return as a starter. Yilber Diaz and Blake Walston were both optioned to Triple-A Reno on Thursday as part of a corresponding move.
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Diamondbacks' Ryne Nelson: Throws side session
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Nelson (shoulder) threw 28 pitches in a bullpen session Tuesday, MLB.com reports.
Nelson has now completed two side sessions since landing on the injured list, after the right-hander previously threw a 16-pitch session Saturday. Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said the team is undecided about whether Nelson could return to the starting rotation or be used as a multi-inning reliever once he makes his way back from the IL. With four games left in the regular season, the bullpen is probably a more realistic landing spot for Nelson if he gets activated.
Nelson (shoulder) will throw a bullpen session Saturday, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.
Nelson has been on the injured list since last Saturday due to shoulder inflammation. The fact he's been cleared to return to a mound after just a week on the IL bodes well for his chances of being activated after a minimum-length stay, but he still has a few more boxes to check before the D-backs can pencil him back into their rotation.
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Diamondbacks' Ryne Nelson: Lands on injured list
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The Diamondbacks placed Nelson on the 15-day injured list Saturday with right shoulder inflammation, Jesse Friedman of GoPHNX.com reports.
Nelson surrendered five earned runs over just 4.2 innings during his most recent outing Sunday, and his shoulder troubles may help explain his poor performance. The Diamondbacks are hopeful he'll be able to return to the rotation after a minimum-length stay on the injured list, though he won't be eligible for activation until the final series of the regular season. Until Nelson is back in the fold, Arizona will likely move Jordan Montgomery from the bullpen back into the rotation.
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Diamondbacks' Ryne Nelson: Fades in fifth frame
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Nelson did not factor into the decision in Sunday's win over the Astros, allowing five runs on six hits and two walks while striking out four over 4.2 innings.
Nelson was handed an eight-run lead through three frames and kept the Astros scoreless until Alex Bregman took him deep in the fourth for a two-run blast. He ran into more trouble in the fifth, leading to three more runs for the Astros and was pulled one out shy of being able to qualify for the win. Sunday's outing ended a streak of five straight quality starts for Nelson and was his first time allowing five runs since June 26. He now sits at a 4.33 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 125:34 K:BB in 147.2 innings and lines up for a start against the Brewers at home over the weekend.
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Diamondbacks' Ryne Nelson: Racks up nine strikeouts in win
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Nelson (10-6) got the win over the Giants on Tuesday, allowing two runs on four hits and two walks while striking out nine over 6.2 innings.
The Giants scratched across a run against Nelson in the first and scored once more in the sixth with a solo home run by Matt Chapman. Nelson otherwise continued his brilliant run of starts, posting a fifth straight quality outing and the ninth over his last 11 starts while tying his season high with nine strikeouts. Since July 2, he holds a 2.76 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 75:14 K:BB in 75 innings. Before then, Nelson was sporting a 5.69 ERA and 1.57 WHIP in 14 starts. He'll look to keep rolling in a projected road start against the Astros this weekend.
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Diamondbacks' Ryne Nelson: Another quality start Thursday
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Nelson didn't factor into the decision Thursday against the Mets, allowing two runs on eight hits over 6.1 innings. He struck out four.
The only damage against Nelson came on a pair of solo home runs, a Pete Alonso blast in the second inning and a Francisco Lindor shot to lead off the sixth. It's the fourth straight quality start for Nelson, who's pitched to a 2.76 ERA in his last 11 outings (68.1 innings) to solidify his spot in Arizona's rotation. Overall, the 26-year-old right-hander is 9-6 with a 4.22 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 112:30 K:BB across 136.1 innings this season. Nelson currently lines up to face the Giants on the road in his next start.
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Diamondbacks' Ryne Nelson: Picks up ninth win
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Nelson (9-6) got the win over the Red Sox on Friday, allowing two runs on five hits and a walk while striking out seven over six innings.
Nelson was impressive once again, picking up his third consecutive quality start. He has looked great since the beginning of July, pitching to a 2.76 ERA with a 0.95 WHIP over his last 10 outings. The 26-year-old has struck out at least five batters eight times and has six quality starts without a loss in that span. He's next scheduled for a home start against the Mets.
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Diamondbacks' Ryne Nelson: Remaining in rotation
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Nelson will remain in the Arizona rotation moving forward with the Diamondbacks electing to move Jordan Montgomery to the bullpen, John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 FM reports.
Arizona is going back to a standard five-man rotation and will shift the struggling veteran Montgomery to relief rather than Nelson, who has posted a 2.73 ERA and 55:11 K:BB over 56 innings since the beginning of July. Nelson will start Friday's series opener in Boston.
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Diamondbacks' Ryne Nelson: Likely to start again Friday
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Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said Wednesday that Nelson is tentatively scheduled to start Friday's game against the Red Sox, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.
Nelson will be available in relief Wednesday in Miami, if needed, but the Diamondbacks seemingly prefer to stay away from him so that he can take the hill Friday. Though Lovullo has previously stated that Arizona eventually plans to condense to a five-man rotation, Nelson has made it tough on the Diamondbacks to demote him to the bullpen. He's posted a 2.73 ERA and 55:11 K:BB over 56 innings since the beginning of July, and another strong outing Friday could prompt Arizona to keep him in the fold for another turn through the rotation.
