Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Ryne Nelson (elbow) threw a five-inning simulated game on Monday that went smoothly, according to manager Torey Lovullo. Nelson was able to toss 75 pitches during the session and may not even need a minor-league rehab assignment before being activated from the 15-day injured list. He's only dealing with a right-elbow contusion after being hit by a line drive. It's a good bet that he'll come off the IL when he's eligible on May 4. The former second-round selection in 2019 out of Oregon made four starts before his injury and has gone 1-2 with a 4.60 ERA (4.14 FIP) and 1.53 WHIP with five walks and 13 strikeouts in 15 2/3 innings pitched. Nelson is going to need more strikeouts to become attractive in shallow mixed fantasy leagues. Until then, he'll be a matchup-based streamer in deeper leagues when he returns to Arizona's rotation.

Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said that right-hander Ryne Nelson (elbow) will throw a bullpen session at Salt River Fields on Wednesday, and it sounds like it could be close to the minimum 15 days on the injured list for him. Nelson was hit by a comebacker on his elbow and was put on the 15-day injured list last week, but he appears to be making good progress and could be ready to return when he's eligible on May 4. The 26-year-old former second-round pick in 2019 out of Oregon should have a starting rotation spot waiting for him in Arizona when he's ready. In his first four starts this year in his third major-league season, Nelson has gone 1-2 with a 4.60 ERA and 1.53 WHIP with five walks and 13 strikeouts covering 15 2/3 frames.

Updating a previous report, Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Ryne Nelson (elbow) was removed from Thursday night's loss to the San Francisco Giants after two innings due to a right-elbow contusion that he suffered when he was hit by a comebacker. While Nelson looked to be in considerable pain after taking the shot to his pitching arm, it looks like he avoided any fractures or breaks to his elbow. That doesn't mean the 26-year-old won't have to go on the injured list, but for now, it appears Nelson has avoided a serious injury and has a good shot to make his next scheduled start for the D-backs. Coming into Thursday's start, his fourth of the season, the former second-rounder in 2019 out of Oregon had a 5.27 ERA and 1.61 WHIP with five walks and 13 strikeouts in 13 2/3 innings in starts against the Yankees, Braves and Cardinals.

Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Ryne Nelson (wrist) was removed from his start early on Thursday night against the San Francisco Giants in the second inning after taking a comebacker off his right wrist before recording the final out of the frame. Before hitting the showers early and likely going for an X-ray on his wrist, Nelson tossed two shutout innings with two hits allowed, no walks and no strikeouts to lower his season ERA to 4.60. He was replaced on the mound by left-hander Logan Allen. Fantasy managers wondering if the 26-year-old Nelson will be able to make his next start will need to check back later on Thursday night or Friday morning for more information on the severity of his injury. If Nelson needs a stint on the injured list, the D-backs could bring Tommy Henry back after just optioning him to Triple-A Reno.

With Arizona Diamondbacks left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez (lat) opening the year on the injured list, the two pitchers that were competing for the fifth spot in the starting rotation in spring training, Tommy Henry and Ryne Nelson, will both make the Opening Day rotation. Henry appeared to be behind Nelson in the battle for the fifth spot this spring, so he figures to be in more danger of getting booted once E-Rod makes his season debut. The 26-year-old southpaw pitches to contact and shouldn't be attractive outside of NL-only fantasy leagues. Nelson, 26, had a nice 2.66 ERA with 26 strikeouts in 20 1/3 Cactus League innings. He was underwhelming in 2023 with a 5.31 ERA and 1.42 WHIP but has more upside than Henry in NL-only affairs now that he's officially locked into a rotation spot in the desert.

Arizona Diamondbacks right-handers Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly return from last season, while left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez has been added to their starting rotation via free agency. Brandon Pfaadt seemingly has a leg up on the No. 4 spot given the way he pitched in the postseason. The fifth spot will be hard-fought between mainly righty Ryne Nelson and lefty Tommy Henry. Nelson spent the majority of the season as a starter for Arizona in 2023 and had a 5.31 ERA and 1.42 WHIP with 96 K's in 144 innings but was demoted to relief late in the year. Henry was a bit more effective with a 4.15 ERA and 1.36 WHIP with 64 strikeouts in 89 innings but was left off the postseason roster. Nelson has more upside as more of a strikeout pitcher, but either player could be useful in NL-only leagues if they win a rotation spot.

Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Ryne Nelson has been promoted from Triple-A Reno to start a crucial contest Thursday versus the Chicago Cubs. The right-hander last appeared with the D-backs on Aug. 11 before he was demoted to the minors after surrendering six earned runs across three innings for the second consecutive start. It's been tough sledding for the 25-year-old in the big leagues this season as Nelson sports a 5.47 ERA across 24 starts along with a 5.15 FIP, 5.23 SIERA, and an 8.3% K-BB%. While he tossed four starts of 3.74 ERA ball at Triple-A, Nelson also posted a 6.33 FIP and tiny 2.3% K-BB% in his 21 2/3 innings with Reno. He will have a tall task on his hands Thursday against a Cubs offense that sits ninth with a .326 wOBA off right-handed pitching this season.

Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Ryne Nelson pitched well in a 5-3 win over the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday. Nelson allowed two runs on three hits over seven innings while striking out five and walking one, needing just 84 pitches to get through seven innings. The 25-year-old was credited with the win on Wednesday, improving his record to 6-5, to go along with a 4.82 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, and 73 strikeouts spanning 106 1/3 innings of work. Nelson's next start is scheduled to come against the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday.

Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Ryne Nelson looked outstanding during his start against the San Francisco Giants on Sunday. The right-hander racked up six strikeouts over seven strong innings of work. Nelson only allowed one-run, while issuing two free passes during this outing. He was nearly flawless in this game, so the D-Backs are hopeful this is a sign of good things to come for Nelson. He holds a 4.97 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and a 58/28 K/BB ratio through 16 starts. His next start will come against the Los Angeles Angels on Saturday.

Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Ryne Nelson finished off his spring with a strong outing in Tuesday's Cactus League finale against the Cleveland Guardians by allowing one earned run on four hits while walking none and striking out five in 5 2/3 innings pitched. Nelson wasn't exactly lights-out this spring, but he finished on a strong note and won the team's No. 5 rotation spot over Drey Jameson, Tommy Henry and Brandon Pfaadt, which will give him appeal in deeper leagues as a streaming option. The 25-year-old will make his 2023 debut on Monday on the road in a tough matchup against the San Diego Padres, so we recommend avoiding him in that one. Nelson has good stuff, but expect some more growing pains in 2023.

Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Ryne Nelson is set to make his Cactus League debut against the Colorado Rockies on Saturday. The 25-year-old has emerged as one of the favorites for the fifth-spot in the rotation. The 25-year-old was impressive during his brief time in the MLB last season. Nelson posted a 1.47 ERA, 0.82 WHIP and 16/6 K/BB ratio across 18 1/3 innings (three starts) with the D-Backs in 2022. Fellow right-hander Drew Jameson is the other main candidate for the last spot in the rotation. He posted a 1.48 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 24/7 K/BB ratio across 24 1/3 innings (four starts) last season. Both pitchers will get the ball on Saturday in a split-squad contest. Whoever wins that fifth-spot could have some sneaky fantasy value heading into the 2023 season.