Nelson allowed four runs on three hits and one walk while striking out six over 2.2 innings in a "B" game against the Rangers on Tuesday, Theo Mackie of the Arizona Republic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Nelson made two Cactus League starts prior to this back-field work, and he's allowed multiple runs in all three appearances, although this third outing was the best of the lot. He's had issues throwing quality strikes this spring, but the right-hander was able to land his off-speed stuff in the zone Tuesday. Nelson is competing primarily with Drey Jameson for the final rotation spot, with Tommy Henry and Brandon Pfaadt in the mix to a lesser extent.

Nelson allowed three runs on four hits and two walks while striking one over 1.2 innings in Thursday's spring game against the Dodgers.

EDGE Analysis

Nelson, who is in the mix for the final spot in the rotation, had a second consecutive rocky outing to begin the Cactus League, raising his spring ERA to 23.63 through 2.2 innings. It's wise for fantasy managers to recognize that pitchers are working on things during spring training, so results aren't primary. That's a point the right-hander made to Michael Reynolds of MLB.com when discussing the two-run, first-inning home run Freddie Freeman hit on a changeup, a pitch Nelson wouldn't normally throw to a hitter like Freeman. "Sometimes my plan doesn't line up with how to attack these hitters [in spring training]," Nelson said. "I probably shouldn't have thrown that changeup in the zone, but I'm just trying to fill up the zone with all my pitches right now." Arizona manager Torey Lovullo is confident Nelson will settle in with more reps and innings.

Nelson allowed four runs on four hits and two walks while striking out one over one-plus innings in Saturday's spring game against Colorado. "I think the fastball felt good, fastball command felt good," Nelson told Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic. "I threw some offspeed pitches I really liked, [but] I think there's still consistency with [offspeed pitches] that can be better."

EDGE Analysis

Nelson gave up a pair of run-scoring doubles in the first inning, then was removed after he allowed the first two batters to reach base in the second. Those runners eventually came around to score while Eric Yardley was on the mound. Nelson is one of two leading candidates, along with Drey Jameson, to fill the fifth-starter job this season. Jameson allowed a hit and a walk over two scoreless innings in a split-squad game against the Athletics.

Nelson (shoulder) will start the Diamondbacks' Cactus League home opener Saturday against the Rockies, Theo Mackie of the Arizona Republic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Drey Jameson will get the split-squad nod over at the Athletics' minor league complex. Those two are the lead candidates to claim the No. 5 spot in the Diamondbacks' rotation out of camp this spring, though word is that top prospect Brandon Pfaadt might be somewhere in that mix as well. Nelson suffered a right scapula injury toward the end of the 2022 season but is now fully healthy here in February of 2023.

Nelson (shoulder) is in the mix for the No. 5 starter job, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Nelson was shut down at the end of the 2022 with a right scapula injury, but at the time, the Diamondbacks did not expect the injury to impact him going forward. The right-hander had a nice three-start run in September before the injury ended his season, posting a 1.47 ERA and 0.82 WHIP over 18.1 innings. His primary competition figures to come from Drey Jameson and Tommy Henry with top pitching prospect Brandon Pfaadt having an outside shot.

Nelson was placed on the 15-day injured list Wednesday with right scapula inflammation.

EDGE Analysis

Nelson had X-rays come back negative after he was struck by a comebacker in the right forearm during Sunday's start against the Padres, but he's now headed to the IL with a inflammation around his shoulder. The 24-year-old will be eligible to return for the last couple days of the regular season, though it's unclear if he's expected to be ready to pitch by that point.

X-rays taken on Nelson's forearm following Sunday's loss to the Padres came back negative, Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic reports. "It's just a bruise, we dodged a bullet," Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said of Nelson's injury.

EDGE Analysis

Nelson took a comebacker off the forearm of his pitching arm and was removed midway through the sixth inning after tossing a warmup pitch. He said he felt good and wanted to stay in the game, but Lovullo exercised caution and removed the young hurler. Nelson lines up to pitch Friday against the Giants, assuming he experiences no issues with his forearm during his between-starts bullpen session.

Nelson was removed from Sunday's game against the Padres in the top of the sixth inning after being hit by a comebacker on his upper right arm, Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Nelson allowed four runs (three earned) on three hits and four walks while striking out three in 5.1 innings to begin Sunday's matchup, but his start was cut short due to his injury. He threw a few warmup pitches and seemed to want to stay in Sunday's matchup, but he was ultimately removed. If he's cleared to make his next turn through the rotation, he tentatively lines up to start at home against the Giants on Friday.

Nelson didn't factor in the decision against the Dodgers on Monday despite pitching six scoreless innings, during which he allowed two hits and two walks while striking out six batters.

EDGE Analysis

Nelson impressed in his first big-league start last week, tossing seven shutout frames against San Diego. He was arguably as dominant against the league's top-scoring club Monday, yielding only two hits -- a single and a triple -- and keeping Los Angeles off the scoreboard through six frames. The rookie right-hander racked up 13 swinging strikes and fanned six batters, nearly matching the mark of seven strikeouts he registered in his debut. Nelson has thrown 13 straight scoreless innings to begin his career and will almost certainly remain in the rotation, with a rematch against the Padres this weekend looking like his next trip to the mound.

Nelson is slated to start Monday's game against the Dodgers at Chase Field, Eric Stephen of SBNation.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Nelson will unsurprisingly receive another turn through the rotation after he dazzled in his MLB debut Sept. 5 against the Padres, striking out seven over seven scoreless frames in a winning effort. The Dodgers present a stiff test for the 24-year-old righty, who will tentatively line up for a two-start week. His second turn comes next weekend at home in a rematch with the Padres.