Ryne Nelson Shines in Final Spring Start as Diamondbacks Set Rotation

Ryne Nelson’s recent performance on the mound has sparked optimism for the Arizona Diamondbacks as they approach the regular season. After his final spring outing, Nelson expressed satisfaction with his progress, stating, “It felt good. [I’m] getting deeper into games, which is nice, and I feel like I had stamina that’s holding up throughout the game, so that’s nice to see.” The young pitcher emphasized that building endurance was a key focus, and he felt capable of continuing if needed, a promising sign for the team’s pitching depth.

In a strategic move, the Diamondbacks have announced their starting rotation for the upcoming season, following the news of Zac Gallen’s placement. Brandon Pfaadt is slated to take the mound against the Tigers on March 31, while Gallen will face the Dodgers this Thursday. Nelson will also pitch against the Dodgers on Friday, and Eduardo Rodriguez is set to start against them on March 28. Michael Soroka rounds out the rotation with his appearance against the Tigers on March 30.

Manager Torey Lovullo acknowledged the challenges facing Merrill Kelly, revealing, “It’s clear that Merrill Kelly just doesn’t have enough time to build up and start the season on the active roster. Might have been the worst-kept secret of this camp, but just wanted to make sure that I gave the right amount of time before I made that announcement.” Kelly will start the season on the IL as he continues to build up his strength.

In other news, José Fernandez continues to impress the D-backs with his breakout performance this spring, showcasing the potential to make a significant impact in the upcoming season. Meanwhile, Pfaadt has set ambitious goals for 2026, aiming to elevate his game further. Eduardo Rodriguez is also looking to translate valuable lessons learned from his experiences in the World Baseball Classic and from legends like Johan Santana into his performance this season.

As the final day of spring training approaches, fans and players alike are eager to see how these developments will unfold and what they mean for the Diamondbacks’ prospects in the upcoming season.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.