Diamondbacks will activate pitcher Ryne Nelson, DFA reliever Derek Law
Ryne Nelson worked his way back from a flexor strain and UCL sprain in his throwing elbow and last pitched for Arizona on June 15.
Starter Ryne Nelson #19 of the Arizona Diamondbacks pitches against the Los Angeles Angels during the first inning at Chase Field on June 15, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
(Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
The Arizona Diamondbacks will activate pitcher Ryne Nelson off the 60-day IL and designated pitcher Derek Law for assignment Wednesday, according to Arizona Sports‘ John Gambadoro.
Nelson suffered a flexor strain and UCL sprain in his throwing elbow and last pitched for Arizona on June 15, as he went on the injured list.
Nelson is going to pitch out of the bullpen for the Diamondbacks. Manager Torey Lovullo said Nelson’s role will be similar to Archie Bradley’s in 2017 and 2018 when he was able to give Arizona multiple innings of relief.
Nelson threw 34 pitches across 1.2 innings in his last rehab appearance on Saturday.
“I think Nelly throwing out of the bullpen has a chance to be as good as any of our relievers,” Lovullo told reporters Tuesday.
“And now you’re going to ask him to maybe go more than one inning. It’s invaluable. The recovery will be the key here, giving him the chance to rest and get back to full strength. We know there’s a lot of octane in that arm. So he talked about, in my conversation today, he talked about his secondary stuff. He was really pleased with how his slider was coming out.”
Nelson has been both a starter and reliever for the Diamondbacks the past three seasons but up to his injury this year was exclusively used as a starter this campaign.
He made 15 starts (3-5) posting a 4.97 ERA and 1.24 WHIP in 83.1 innings pitched.
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Comments
5 Comments
Can he swing a bat too? (sarcasm) I actually like this move, and it might be something the Dbacks consider for next year. Nelson's lively fastball is better suited to a bullpen role than as a starter. Feel a little bad for Law getting DFA'd. He actually did a decent job, but Nelson has earned a spot on the roster with his past performances.
Law did a decent job...DFAd Gallen and keep Law.
You are correct about the hitting. The injuries to the team is NOT the issue that will prevent the Dbacks from getting into the playoffs. The Dbacks had the #2 WC spot a few weeks ago. It is NOT the starting pitching. It is NOT the relief pitching.
It is simple: It is the lack of offense...especially the lack of offense from Carroll, Marte and Perdomo. Gabby is batting good. Nolan, the rookies, McCann and Vargas, etc. have step up, have made crucial hits and won games for the Dbacks.
The one and only fix is that Carroll, Marte and Perdomo to perform at their previous performances of past seasons.
For example, Perdomo has a RISP batting average of over .300 for the 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025 seasons when runners were in scoring position (source: Burns & Gambo). For the 2025 season, Perdomo had a RSIP batting average of .331 (source: Burns & Gambo). For the 2026 season, he has a RSIP batting average of .165 (source: Burns & Gambo).
By the way, the number of comeback wins is NOT impressive...it really shows what the actual problem is with the Dbacks: a lack of offense. The Dbacks are not scoring runs in the early innings.
As of last night's game, the Dbacks have scored 675 runs (an average of 4.44 runs a game) while giving up 674 runs (an average of 4.43 runs per game).
Division leaders
Brewers have scored 199 more runs that they have given up.
Dodgerrs +177
Braves +115
Wild Card Contenders
Cubs +139
Phillies +28
Padres +17
Dbacks +1
The top teams are scoring runs!
Not to worry, Derek Law, because as with Pavin Smith, DFA is not the end of your DBacks’ tenure.
Maybe for other responsibly run ball clubs; not this stupid franchise.
See you soon.