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: Strong showing in long relief
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Nelson allowed one hit while striking out two over 2.1 scoreless innings in Thursday's 9-7 loss to the Yankees.
Nelson gave Arizona some length after the Yankees battered starter Merrill Kelly for nine runs in 3.2 innings. The long reliever was able to keep New York in check and dropped his ERA from 21.60 to 9.00. Nelson had a rough first appearance Opening Day (four runs, 1.2 innings) and sat on that for a week before Thursday's ERA correction. The right-hander was a key member of the Diamondbacks' rotation in 2024 and remains capable of being stretched out if needed as a starter.
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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: Rotation bid falls short
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Nelson will begin the season working out of the bullpen, as Brandon Pfaadt was named Arizona's No. 5 starter Sunday, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.
Nelson surrendered 10 earned runs across 11 innings during spring training, though nine of those runs were given up in a single appearance. The 27-year-old started in 25 of his 28 appearances for the Diamondbacks last season and had a 4.24 ERA and 126:34 K:BB over 150.2 innings.
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Diamondbacks' Ryne Nelson: Calm spring no longer
Rotowire
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
Rotowire
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
Rotowire
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
Rotowire
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.
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.
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.
Diamondbacks' Ryne Nelson: Throwing another bullpen
Rotowire
Nelson (shoulder) is scheduled to throw a 25-pitch bullpen session Tuesday, Jesse Friedman of GoPHNX.com reports.
Nelson is working his way through right shoulder inflammation, which landed him on the 15-day injured list Sept. 14. Barring any setbacks Tuesday, the 26-year-old could be activated after a minimum-length stay, which would line him up for the weekend series against the Padres that begins Friday. Manger Torey Lovullo told reporters Monday that whether Nelson operates as a starter or reliever will depend on what pitch count the right-hander can comfortably manage.
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