Nelson allowed two hits and struck out five over two scoreless innings in Saturday's spring start against the Rockies.

EDGE Analysis

Nelson's 33-pitch performance was the talk of the post-game discussion. The right-hander threw mostly fastballs and sliders and induced eight swing-and-misses. "The velocity looked like it was spiking," manager Torey Lovullo told Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports. "He started mixing in a really quality secondary pitch with that slider, I know that was something I've been emphasizing. I know he's been working hard on it and he got a ton of swing-and-miss." It was an impressive showing for Nelson, who logged a 15.5 strikeout percentage (sixth percentile per Statcast) and 6.0 K/9 in 2023. It was also a timely response after Tommy Henry's impressive Cactus League debut Friday. Nelson and Henry are seen as the main competitors for the final spot in the rotation.

Nelson will take the mound for Saturday's spring start against the Rockies, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Nelson is competing for the No. 5 starter job with several others. One of those competitors is Tommy Henry, who submitted two scoreless innings in Friday's Cactus League opener.

Nelson is expected to compete with Tommy Henry for the final spot in the rotation, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The top three in the rotation are set -- Zac Gallen, Merrill Kelly, Eduardo Rodriguez -- and it looks like Brandon Pfaadt has the edge for the No. 4 spot, leaving Nelson and Henry to compete for the back end. Nelson spent the first four-and-a-half months of the 2023 season as part of the rotation before an August demotion. He returned to the Diamondbacks in September and made three postseason appearances as a reliever. Nelson recorded an 8-8 record and 5.31 ERA over 144 innings (29 appearances, 27 starts) with 96 strikeouts and 46 walks during the regular season.

Nelson allowed two runs on four hits and three walks while striking out three over 3.1 innings in a no-decision versus the Cubs on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

Nelson needed 75 pitches (40 strikes) to get his 10 outs. He was at least able to keep the runs against down after allowing at least six runs in three of his previous four outings. The right-hander is now at a 5.53 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 91:44 K:BB through 138.1 innings over 27 starts. His previous high in innings across all levels was 154.1 last year, a mark he's passed at 160 this season, so his recent struggles may come down to workload. For now, he's tentatively lined up for a road start versus the Yankees next weekend.

Nelson (7-8) took the loss Tuesday, coughing up six runs on seven hits and two walks over 4.1 innings as the Diamondbacks were downed 7-4 by the Mets. He struck out three.

EDGE Analysis

Four of the seven hits off the right-hander went for extra bases, including Ronny Mauricio's first career home run and Pete Alonso's 44th blast of the season. Nelson has been tagged for six runs in three of his four big-league starts since the beginning of August, staggering to a 10.69 ERA, 1.81 WHIP and 13:5 K:BB through 16 innings over that stretch, and with Arizona fighting to hang onto a wild-card spot, manager Torey Lovullo may have to consider other options for the fifth spot in his rotation.

Nelson is listed as the Diamondbacks' scheduled starter for Tuesday's game against the Mets at Citi Field.

EDGE Analysis

Nelson was called up from Triple-A Reno last week and made his first start with the big club in nearly a month this past Thursday, covering 5.2 innings while giving up one run on two hits and two walks en route to picking up a win against the Cubs. Arizona has been struggling to reliable starting pitching beyond Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly throughout the season, so the decision to keep Nelson in the rotation on the heels of his strong showing his last time out comes as little surprise. Nelson tentatively lines up for a two-start week, with his second turn set to come this weekend at home versus the Cubs.

Nelson (7-7) earned the win over the Cubs on Thursday, allowing one run on two hits and two walks while striking out three batters over 5.2 innings.

EDGE Analysis

Nelson spent nearly a month in the minors before he was called up to start Thursday. The time away seemed to serve the right-hander well, as he didn't allow a hit until there was one out in the fifth frame and held Chicago to just two knocks overall. As usual, Nelson wasn't overpowering -- he induced just three swinging strikes -- but this was a very positive performance considering his struggles prior to being demoted. Over his previous two starts before being sent to the minors, Nelson had allowed 12 runs on 15 hits over six innings.

Nelson was recalled from Triple-A Reno ahead of his scheduled start Thursday versus the Cubs.

EDGE Analysis

Nelson has struggled to a 5.47 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 82:37 K:BB in 125 innings (24 starts) this season at the major league level. The 25-year-old right-hander makes for an unappealing fantasy streaming option as he matches up against a hard-charging Cubs team.

Nelson will come up from Triple-A Reno to start Thursday's game against the Cubs, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Nelson has allowed 12 runs over six innings across his last two major-league starts, but he will be called upon to round out Arizona's rotation nonetheless. With a 5.47 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 82 strikeouts over 125 innings, Nelson has very little fantasy upside.

Nelson has worked to improve his slider during his time in the minors, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Nelson's slider has shown progress over his last few starts at Triple-A Reno, with Arizona pitching coach Brent Strom noting that the right-hander is "locating it more" and "hasn't made as many mistakes with it." Nelson has made four starts for Reno since his demotion in mid-August, pitching to a respectable 3.74 ERA. He had been part of the Diamondbacks rotation for the first four-and-a-half months of the season, posting a 5.74 ERA in 24 starts. Despite a mid-90s fastball, Nelson struggled to miss bats, and the organization is hoping an improved slider will help. If the club reaches down to the minors for a starter Thursday, Nelson, whose last outing was Sept. 2, is the most likely candidate to fill the opening. Arizona needs a starter after it demoted Slade Cecconi on Sunday.