Diamondbacks’ Ryne Nelson working out of the bullpen in final series vs. Padres

PHOENIX — Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Ryne Nelson will come out of the bullpen this weekend in the final series of the regular season against the San Diego Padres, manager Torey Lovullo said.

Nelson came off the injured list Thursday with right shoulder inflammation that popped up after his last start back on Sept. 8 in Houston.

Lovullo was specific that Nelson would not be an option to start against San Diego with a postseason berth on the line, but Nelson will have a role at Chase Field. The D-backs can clinch a playoff spot with a sweep or depend on other results to punch a ticket.

“I want to believe he can go out and fire bullets in all three games, but I don’t know if that’s going to be the case,” Lovullo said. “I’m going to see how he’s used tonight, if he’s used tonight, and then have him wake up tomorrow and tell me how he feels. He’s an injured athlete. We got to be mindful of his return.

“I think my starting point — and this is just me, and I have the right to change my mind — is we could use him for an inning or two innings tonight, maybe an inning on Sunday. That would be my initial starting point. But I know this is the time of year where the boys get after it and they sacrifice so we’ll see what role he fits into.”

Merrill Kelly is Friday’s starter for Arizona against a Padres team looking to solidify the top Wild Card spot. The Diamondbacks can run out Eduardo Rodriguez on Saturday and Brandon Pfaadt on Sunday, although Lovullo said that is not set in stone.

Nelson said he’s comfortable coming out of the bullpen. He’s had an opener in front of him twice this season against the Los Angeles Dodgers, and his outings combined for 10 innings and one earned run.

“I’ve done it with the opener a few times, and last year through the playoff run,” Nelson said. “So I don’t think it’s a comfort thing at all. I think I’m just, more than anything, excited to go out there and pitch.”

Nelson threw a 25-pitch bullpen on Tuesday, so getting up to a starter’s worth of pitches right away is not in the cards.

But he could really assist a Diamondbacks bullpen that has had its ups and downs, especially this month. Outside A.J. Puk, Arizona’s positive-role relievers such as Ryan Thompson Justin Martinez and Kevin Ginkel have hit some bumps over the past four weeks. They will be relied on this weekend, but Nelson adds depth that could be worthwhile.

Nelson had been one of the most productive pitchers in MLB for the previous two months before his injury. He was second in the league with 79.1 innings from July 1 to Sept. 8 with a 3.16 ERA.

“It’s tough when you’re at home watching on TV and the team is on the road, it’s a weird feeling,” Nelson said. “You’re not supposed to be here. You’re supposed to be somewhere else, and that’s a hard feeling to get over with. More importantly, just happy to be back with these guys and finish this thing with them.”

Can Zac Gallen pitch on short rest?

Lovullo said the idea of Zac Gallen pitching on short rest had not yet been discussed, but he also did not dismiss the notion.

Gallen threw six innings with one earned run and 11 punch outs on Wednesday in a win over the San Francisco Giants.

“I know Zac, and if he could help his team win on Sunday, and if it’s an all-in day, he’s going to come to me and say, ‘I want to pitch in this game,'” Lovullo said. “And I probably will not get in his way. So we’ll find out what role he could be in. I don’t know what it would be, but if we get to that point, we’ll figure it out.”

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo discusses Zac Gallen’s availability to pitch this weekend with Dave Burns and Kellan Olson.

The Torey Lovullo Show on @BurnsAndGambo is presented by Estrella Jalisco. pic.twitter.com/TgQngXXXFv

— Arizona Sports (@AZSports) September 27, 2024

What is Alek Thomas’ role?

The Diamondbacks recalled center fielder Alek Thomas from Triple-A Reno, giving the club its best defensive outfielder back and a left-handed option off the bench.

Jake McCarthy has received the bulk of the center field starts in the second half of the season, and Corbin Carroll will patrol center on Friday with Pavin Smith in right and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. in left.

Thomas is going to be coming off the bench for the time being.

“Right now, probably a defensive replacement later in games, pinch run, maybe pinch hit,” Lovullo said. “I mean, in a close game, he’ll probably be playing center field for us. That’s what I explained to him. I said, ‘As far as the next three days and a start, let’s compartmentalize that, not worry about it.'”

Thomas has a .609 OPS in the major leagues this season in what has been an injury-marred campaign. He missed significant time with separate hamstring and oblique issues.

His OPS is .778 in 16 games with Reno this season.

First pitch on Friday is at 6:40 p.m. with Kelly matching up with San Diego’s Yu Darvish at Chase Field.

Tune to 98.7 and the Arizona Sports app for pregame and first pitch. 

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