Ryne Nelson has final box to check before returning to Diamondbacks

PHOENIX — Right-handed pitcher Ryne Nelson is just about ready to get back to the Arizona Diamondbacks for the waning days of their playoff push, but he has one more T to cross.

Nelson will pitch for Triple-A Reno on Saturday with the intention of getting him more than three outs of work.

At that point, “He should have checked every box,” manager Torey Lovullo said.

“We want a one-plus and to get him into that 25-30-pitch range in case there’s a need for a one-plus outing,” Lovullo said.

Nelson last pitched for the D-backs on June 15, as he went on the injured list with a flexor strain and UCL sprain in his throwing elbow.

Nelson is going to fill a bullpen role for the Diamondbacks in the final couple of weeks, as Lovullo compared his job to Archie Bradley’s at points in 2017 and 2018 when he provided multiple innings of relief.

Fitting Nelson back on the roster is a whole other decision.

The Diamondbacks have a surplus of starting pitchers after the returns of Corbin Burnes, Zac Gallen and Michael Soroka from the injured list. Their bullpen has been a strength that is difficult to pull from. Brandyn Garcia is not going anywhere, nor is Juan Morillo or Justin Martinez.

The two still relatively fresh faces are veterans Derek Law and Dennis Santana, but they have done their jobs effectively so far (14.1 innings, two earned runs combined).

The Diamondbacks also have to figure out who rounds out their starting rotation between Gallen and Soroka, who piggybacked on Wednesday.

“Who’s going to help us get the most outs and pitch deep into the game?” Lovullo said.

“It’s a hard decision. … There’s a group that will be data-based I’m sure that are going to support one side. There’s going to be others that just want to win baseball games and give their personal gut feeling. And then I think there’s going to be a combination of people inside of that room.  … We got to win baseball games.”

Lovullo said Gallen and Soroka will be built up to 75-80 pitches, while Burnes will be closer to 65-70 pitches.

If Soroka, who looked sharper on Wednesday than Gallen, takes the fifth rotation spot, what role does that leave for Gallen this late in the game?

How hindering was Corbin Carroll’s back injury?

Outfielder Corbin Carroll’s back discomfort stemmed from a spasm, and his MRI on Thursday was otherwise clean. He was back in the lineup on Friday after missing two games and three starts.

“Do I think it impacted his swing? I don’t think it did early on, but towards the end when we did remove him from the lineup, I think it definitely had an impact on his swing,” Lovullo said.

Carroll hit .148 over his last seven games before getting scratched on Tuesday, a lull during a season full of ups and downs for the outfielder.

The hope now is that having a few days down helped Carroll’s back heal up, allowing him to feel more like himself over the final two weeks of the season.

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