Nelson is slated to start Friday's game against the Rays at Tropicana Field.

EDGE Analysis

Manager Torey Lovullo said earlier in the week that Nelson would be available out of the bullpen for Wednesday's game against the Rockies, but with the Diamondbacks not needing to use the right-hander in that contest, he'll slot back into the rotation Friday for his 21st start of the season. Lovullo noted that the Diamondbacks intend to scale back their rotation from six to five men following Friday's contest, so barring another starting pitcher falling victim to an injury, Nelson looks like he'll be headed back to the bullpen once he recovers from his start versus the Rays.

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said Monday that Nelson will be available out of the bullpen in Wednesday's game versus the Rockies, Jesse Friedman of GoPHNX.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Nelson will be ready in case it's an abbreviated start by Jordan Montgomery. If he's not needed, he will start Friday in Tampa Bay. If Nelson does start Friday, it could be his last one for a while, as Lovullo says the club would then go back to a five-man rotation. Lovullo wouldn't commit to Nelson being the one to lose his rotation spot when that time arrives, but he looks to be the most likely candidate. Nelson holds a 2.90 ERA and 49:11 K:BB over 49.2 innings since the beginning of July, so he certainly doesn't deserve a demotion. However, he could be the team's starter most equipped to handle a shift to relief.

Nelson did not factor into the decision in Friday's win over Philadelphia, allowing two runs on three hits and one walk over 7.1 innings. He struck out nine.

EDGE Analysis

The 26-year-old righty generated 14 whiffs en route to his nine punchouts, as he gathered his career-high eighth quality start of the season with this performance. Nelson impressively held a formidable Phillies lineup in check, with the only significant damage coming via a Bryce Harper 373-foot solo shot in the seventh inning. After pitching to a 4.98 ERA across 86.2 innings before the All-Star break, Nelson has been on a roll since, firing a 3.19 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 36:9 K:BB over 31 innings. Nelson is currently slated to make his next start against the Rays on the road.

Nelson didn't factor into the decision Sunday against Pittsburgh, allowing four runs on six hits and two walks across five innings. He struck out seven.

EDGE Analysis

Though Nelson didn't allow a home run, three of the six hits against him went for extra bases. The 26-year-old punched out at least seven batters for the third time in four appearances after having done so twice in his first 15 starts. Through 110.1 innings, Nelson has logged a 4.65 ERA and a 1.37 WHIP while compiling an 8-6 record. He's tentatively scheduled to face the Phillies on Friday.

Nelson (8-6) got the win over the Nationals on Tuesday, allowing two hits and two walks while striking out nine over seven scoreless innings.

EDGE Analysis

Nelson was staked an 11-0 lead by the end of the third inning but never let up one bit. Both his nine strikeouts and seven innings pitched tied season highs and it was his second outing of the season of at least five scoreless frames. He gave up one run or fewer of four of his six starts in July, leading to a 2.41 ERA and .211 BAA. He also went at least five innings in every start, which is something he's wasn't able to do earlier in the season. The 26-year-old now owns a 4.53 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 79:26 K:BB in 105.1 innings and will look to keep rolling against the Pirates to begin next week.

Nelson did not factor into the decision in a win over the Royals on Wednesday, allowing four runs on nine hits and two walks over six innings while striking out two.

EDGE Analysis

Nelson got knocked around throughout the contest, allowing multiple baserunners in five of his six innings of work. Three of the four runs he was charged with came across in the fourth after the right-hander surrendered a leadoff double to Michael Massey to open the frame before allowing him to advance to third on a wild pitch. Nelson had not permitted more than three runs in any of his previous four starts this month, while his two strikeouts marked his lowest total since June 20 against Washington. He still holds a 2.97 ERA in July after Wednesday's start and hasn't suffered a loss since June 26 against Minnesota.

Nelson (7-6) earned the win Friday over the Cubs, allowing one run on three hits and two walks over 5.2 innings. He struck out nine.

EDGE Analysis

It was an impressive showing out of the All-Star break from Nelson, who blanked the Cubs through his first five innings before allowing a lone run in the sixth while racking up a career-high nine strikeouts. The 26-year-old Nelson has been solid of late, holding opponents to three runs or fewer in each of his last four starts, posting a 2.22 ERA in that span (24.1 innings). Overall, his ERA sits at 4.78 this season with a 1.39 WHIP and 68:22 K:BB across 92.1 innings. Nelson's currently lined up for a road matchup with the Royals in his next outing.

Nelson will start Arizona's series opener on the road against the Cubs on Friday, Jesse Friedman of GoPHNX.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Nelson will get the ball first as the Diamondbacks come out of the All-Star break, carrying a 4.98 ERA and 6.1 K/9 over 86.2 innings in 17 appearances, including 15 starts, this season. With Jordan Montgomery (knee) returning to the rotation this week and Eduardo Rodriguez (shoulder) and Merrill Kelly (shoulder) on the horizon, Nelson will look to impress in his next few starts to solidify his spot in the team's starting rotation.

Nelson allowed three runs on five hits and struck out five without walking a batter over seven innings in a no-decision versus the Blue Jays.

EDGE Analysis

After an inconsistent June, Nelson has settled down in July. He's allowed five runs and posted a 13:2 K:BB over 18.2 innings across his last three starts, though he has just one win in that span. The right-hander is nevertheless trending in the right direction, with his ERA now at 4.98 to go with a 1.42 WHIP and 59:20 K:BB over 86.2 innings this season.

Nelson (6-6) got the win over the Padres on Sunday, allowing one run on three hits and a walk while striking out five over 6.2 innings.

EDGE Analysis

Nelson strung together one of his best starts of the season while outdueling Dylan Cease to get the win. His only mistake was allowing a first-inning home run to Jurickson Profar, but he was able to shut out the Padres the rest of the way. Nelson has put together four quality starts in his last five outings and has compiled a 3.49 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 21:3 K:BB (28.1 IP) while also leading all Diamondbacks starters in innings pitched over that span. For the year, the 26-year-old owns a 5.08 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 54:20 K:BB in 79.2 innings and will look to have one more positive start before the All-Star break, which is set to take place against the Blue Jays in a weekend home series.