Bullpen updates: Ryne Nelson’s role week-to-week as point of no return looms

PHOENIX — The Arizona Diamondbacks have difficult decisions looming when it comes to their bullpen, which entered Friday ranked seventh in MLB with a 2.93 ERA and first with an 0.80 WHIP.

Kevin Ginkel and Kendall Graveman are working their way back from the injured list, Drey Jameson is pitching well in the minor leagues and the Ryne Nelson decision will need to be made before the point of no return.

Let’s start with Nelson, who is three outings into his role as a reliever.

Ryne Nelson’s week-to-week role

When the Diamondbacks inserted Nelson into a relief role to start the season, the thinking was clear: if there became a point in which he was no longer stretched out, he would not be stretched out to start.

Nelson has thrown 50, 33 and 31 pitches, respectively.

“The innings have been going up, but the pitch counts have been going down, which is a good thing,” Nelson told Arizona Sports’ Burns & Gambo.

“I think there would be a little bit of a transition process if I did have to go back into the rotation and I think there would probably be a slight buildup that would have to happen. But for right now, I think that if I can get some more innings under my belt, I think I’d be ready. We got a really talented starting staff and would never hope for anything to happen to any of those guys.”

Pitching coach Brian Kaplan said the club is approaching this situation week-to-week, that he has not pushed past the point where he could theoretically start. Arizona’s rotation (knock on wood) has remained healthy while many around the league are going through early-season injuries.

Ryne Nelson tells @BurnsAndGambo he would need a slight ramp-up to return to the starting rotation if the Diamondbacks needed him to but otherwise feels ready.

The Clubhouse Call-In is presented by Dog Haus. pic.twitter.com/qK6jAS3gtC

— Arizona Sports (@AZSports) April 8, 2025

Nelson has pitched on close to a starter’s schedule in terms of days between outings. There were six days between his first and second game, and then he threw on three days rest. He last threw on Monday.

“Granted, he’s not throwing five (innings) and 75 (pitches) or six (innings) and 90 (pitches), but we’re not far off from that,” Kaplan told Arizona Sports. “We’ve been blessed for our starters to stay healthy. April is a tricky month with that. So as long as our guys can maintain their health, I think that role is gonna kind of continue to be what it is and we’ll kind of take it from there.

“It’s a unique situation where he’s a very qualified starter that can take the ball for us every fifth or sixth day. But right now, he’s doing the job this team needs and this staff needs.”

Nelson said he’s preferred helping the major league club as opposed to potentially starting in the minor leagues, staying flexible for whatever role he lands. He’s caught in between to a degree, as one of the best pitchers on the team last year is not being given high leverage situations nor starts.

Manager Torey Lovullo said there is no perfect science to this. The club has not had great results in the past stretching back out pitchers Jon Duplantier or Jameson after shortening them up, but Nelson is still considered stretched out enough to hop in if needed.

Nelson has thrown 5.1 scoreless innings in his last two outings. Overall, he owns a 5.14 ERA with a 1.40 FIP (fielding-independent pitching).

Kevin Ginkel, Kendall Graveman update

Right-handers Ginkel (right shoulder inflammation) and Graveman (lumbar strain) each threw a bullpen on Friday and felt good, Lovullo said. Ginkel is ready to face live hitters, while Graveman has one more bullpen before taking the next step.

Lovullo said he’d bet that Ginkel would pitch on a rehab assignment in a minor league game before getting activated.

“I like the idea where you go to the game, get into your routine and just test your boundaries and get into a hot game,” Lovullo said. “If we send him out on a rehab, I think that I’d be in favor of that.”

Ginkel’s injury popped up at the end of spring training, while Graveman’s back issues prevented him from pitching in a Cactus League game.

Drey Jameson watch

Jameson stood out in spring training after missing all of 2024 with Tommy John surgery. The D-backs optioned him to check some final boxes in Triple-A Reno, as they needed to see him recover between outings and pitch back-to-backs.

In five minor league innings, Jameson has nine strikeouts and a 1.80 ERA. On Thursday, he threw on one day of rest for the first time and struck out the side.

Drey Jameson striking out the side 🤢 pic.twitter.com/VnCHW2RzEs

— Reno Aces (@Aces) April 11, 2025

“If it was a different place in time — and he was able to check boxes, didn’t have surgery, if he didn’t have to worry about doing that — he would’ve shown enough to make the team in spring training,” Lovullo said.

“He’s taken on every challenge and yes, we want him to eventually do all the things, the up-down, the back-to-backs being the most important. You can’t predict or you can’t promise somebody certain innings on certain days. The game just doesn’t allow you to do that.”

The Diamondbacks added Shelby Miller and Jalen Beeks to the bullpen ahead of Opening Day, and they have provided meaningful depth (15.1 IP, 1 ER). What Arizona’s bullpen looks like in two, three or four weeks is a question, as tough decisions are coming as more options become available. In a long season, teams need all the relief depth they can get.

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