Ryne Nelson the reliever? Diamondbacks throwing ideas around to get key pitcher back from IL

PHOENIX — Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Ryne Nelson showed “a lot of improvement” on his MRI Friday, and the plan is to start his throwing program this weekend, manager Torey Lovullo said on Saturday.

Nelson has already missed a month of action with both a sprained UCL and flexor strain in his right elbow, and he will have to build up from playing catch to throwing bullpens to facing live hitters and potentially going on a rehab assignment.

There have been internal discussions on the best path to get him back to the major leagues, including whether or not the team would benefit from bringing him back without stretching him all the way out.

“That’s a conversation we just had about 10 minutes ago,” Lovullo said. “We’ve got to get him throwing and feeling as good as he says he’s been feeling. The imaging showed that things have been resolved to this point … but just getting him back into our mix as soon as possible is really important.

“Nobody said, ‘This is the best path forward.’ The questions have been thrown around: Should we do this and just make him a reliever? Or should we stretch him out as a starter? We’re still trying to find out what that timeline looks like. The clock starts today. Build it out. What does it look like? We haven’t done that yet.”

The Diamondbacks are approaching the 100-game mark, entering Saturday with a 49-48 record. They have a long list of pitchers on the IL alongside Nelson — including starters Michael Soroka, Zac Gallen and Corbin Burnes — that has left the starting rotation in a vulnerable place ahead of the trade deadline. Timelines could factor into how the D-backs handle the deadline, should they be in position to push ahead.

Soroka is expected to be back first, as he was throwing a bullpen at Chase Field on Saturday.

Nelson had a few clunkers this season that ballooned his ERA to 4.97, but six of his last nine starts were quality. He was the club’s most consistent starter last season over the final four months (3.16 ERA in 23 starts), after he moved back into the rotation from the bullpen.

Nelson said at the time of his injury that he hoped to be able to come back this season and help the D-backs down the stretch.

A.J. Puk seeking another opinion

Lovullo said reliever A.J. Puk’s MRI still showed his left capsule sprain had not fully healed, and Puk will go get a second opinion from renowned surgeon Dr. Neal ElAttrache.

“Hopefully that will take its course naturally and continue to improve, but still not as close as we want it to be,” Lovullo said.

Puk suffered the shoulder injury during his rehab from elbow surgery, as he has not pitched for the Diamondbacks since April 2025.

Jordan Lawlar improving but not quite there yet

Jordan Lawlar has been cleared for all baseball activities with the exception of running at full speed, Lovullo said.

Lawlar’s MRI showed that his hamstring strain was “not totally resolved,” so he will continue to lightly jog. He will be able to take live at-bats, including against rehabbing D-backs reliever Justin Martinez on Saturday.

“There’s no timeline here with (Lawlar),” Lovullo said. “Just knowing that he is able to do a lot of baseball activity has been very encouraging. I’ll let you know when the running progression begins to ramp up.”

Any chance for Andrew Saalfrank?

Reliever Andrew Saalfrank has started to throw out to 60 feet after undergoing shoulder surgery ahead of spring training. Saalfrank was considered out for the season at that time, and that has not changed.

“Losing Saalfrank was a big miss, and I’m glad to see that he’s back on his feet,” Lovullo said.

Saalfrank worked a 1.24 ERA in 28 games last season.

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