D-backs recall pitching prospect Ryne Nelson to start Monday vs. Padres

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The Arizona Diamondbacks are giving another one of their top prospects a taste of the big leagues in the final month of the regular season.

The D-backs announced that right-handed pitcher Ryne Nelson will make his MLB debut Monday against the San Diego Padres, as was said by manager Torey Lovullo on Saturday.

More talent is on the way.@ry_nelly29 is set to make his @MLB debut on Monday! pic.twitter.com/VyFpnz7i1U

— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) September 4, 2022

Nelson was added to the D-backs’ taxi squad Sunday and activated Monday.

In corresponding moves, infielder Yonny Hernandez was recalled from Triple-A Reno and placed on the 60-day injured list with a strained left calf, while reliever Luis Frias was optioned to Reno.

Nelson, Arizona’s No. 8 prospect on MLB Pipeline, was a second-round pick out of Oregon in 2019, the same draft Corbin Carroll was taken in.

The 6-foot-3 righty was Arizona’s Minor League Pitcher of the Year for 2021 after having a 3.17 ERA with 12.6 strikeouts per nine innings in 22 starts across Single-A Hillsborough and Double-A Amarillo.

Nelson started the 2022 season in Triple-A Reno, where he has started 26 games with an ERA of 5.43.

His most recent outing was one of his best with the Aces, as he tossed seven innings with no earned runs, one walk and five punch outs.

Does Ryne Nelson work part-time at a casino?

Cuz he’s been dealing 😤@ry_nelly29 | @Dbacks | @MLBPipeline | #Aceball pic.twitter.com/Z8nA8aIKuj

— Reno Aces (@Aces) August 31, 2022

“He’s been throwing the ball real good,” Lovullo said Saturday. “Just want to give him an opportunity to come up here and get some really good September baseball experience against some good baseball teams.”

Pipeline evaluated that Nelson has a plus fastball that can hit the mid-90s mph. He pairs the heater with a curveball, slider and changeup.

Ryne Nelson with the sunset cheddar 🌅🧀@ry_nelly29 | #Aceball pic.twitter.com/gnQzh3h13e

— Reno Aces (@Aces) August 20, 2022

He is the No. 4 ranked pitcher in the D-backs’ farm system behind Brandon Pfaadt, Blake Walston and Landon Sims.

Nelson’s promotion will allow Arizona to give extra rest to its other starters. Merrill Kelly will start Tuesday and Tommy Henry Wednesday.

Arizona begins a three-game series against the Padres Monday at 3:40 p.m.

Tune in on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station. 

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