Braves' Kyle Nelson: Goes to Atlanta on minors deal
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Atlanta signed Nelson to a minor-league contract Feb. 25.
Nelson struggled in 2025 in his first season back from thoracic outlet surgery, allowing two runs in two innings with the Diamondbacks and posting a 9.09 ERA in 42 appearances with Triple-A Reno. The 29-year-old will give Atlanta some experienced left-handed relief depth at Triple-A Gwinnett.
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Diamondbacks' Kyle Nelson: Kicked off 40-man
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Nelson cleared waivers Wednesday and was outrighted to Triple-A Reno, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.
Nelson appeared in just three games for the D-backs in 2025, giving up two earned runs over two innings. He didn't find much success in the minor leagues either, posting an 8.83 ERA and 1.64 WHIP across 34.2 frames. His poor performance will now cost him his roster spot as the offseason begins, and it's unknown whether he will exercise his right to elect free agency.
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Diamondbacks' Kyle Nelson: Sent down to Reno
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The Diamondbacks optioned Nelson to Triple-A Reno on Wednesday.
After giving up two runs in two-plus innings and collecting his first big-league save following his call-up from Reno last Friday, Nelson will return to the minors to open up a spot in the bullpen for Casey Kelly, who was called up from Triple-A. Nelson owns a 6.08 ERA through 23.2 innings in the minors, though the amount of injuries in Arizona's bullpen keeps the door open for him to return to the big club before the end of the season.
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Diamondbacks' Kyle Nelson: Earns first major-league save
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Nelson picked up the save Sunday against the Athletics, allowing one run on one hit while striking out one in the ninth inning.
Nelson was a surprise choice to close things out, but with Kevin Ginkel unavailable after throwing 20 pitches Saturday, the Diamondbacks turned to the 29-year-old lefty to finish off the win. His lone blemish was a solo shot off the bat of JJ Bleday, but he otherwise preserved the lead to notch the first save of his career in his 133rd MLB relief outing. Kendall Graveman, who handled the eighth inning against the heart of Oakland's lineup, may remain the top setup option behind Ginkel, but Nelson's usage hints at Arizona's willingness to mix and match in the late innings when needed.
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Diamondbacks' Kyle Nelson: Contract selected
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The Diamondbacks selected Nelson's contract from Triple-A Reno on Friday.
The left-hander was designated for assignment in early July but will receive another look in the majors coming off Thursday's trade deadline. Nelson has made 11 appearances for Arizona this season and has a 4.22 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 8:4 K:BB across 10.2 innings.
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Diamondbacks' Kyle Nelson: Remains in organization
Rotowire
The Diamondbacks outrighted Nelson to Triple-A Reno on Sunday.
He's no longer on the 40-man roster, but Nelson will remain in the organization after passing through waivers unclaimed. The left reliever hasn't pitched well at Reno this season after coming back from thoracic outlet surgery, allowing 16 runs with a 12:8 K:BB over 17 innings.
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Diamondbacks' Kyle Nelson: Dismissed from bullpen competition
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The Diamondbacks optioned Nelson to Triple-A Reno on Wednesday.
Nelson is healthy again after missing most of the 2024 season while recovering from thoracic outlet syndrome surgery, but he had struggled with his command and control this spring, giving up nine runs (eight earned) on nine hits -- including three home runs -- and four walks over 5.2 innings in Cactus League play. He'll look to shake off the rust in Reno and put himself in consideration for a call-up later on this season.
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Diamondbacks' Kyle Nelson: Undergoes surgery
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Nelson (shoulder) underwent thoracic outlet surgery Monday, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.
Nelson is expected is expected to miss the rest of the season.
Nelson is receiving additional opinions on his injured left shoulder before the Diamondbacks decide the next steps to take, Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic reports.
Nelson landed on the injured list nearly a week ago with what was deemed left shoulder inflammation at the time, but it sounds like he might be dealing with something more serious. More information on his status could be available later this week.
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Diamondbacks' Kyle Nelson: Placed on 15-day IL
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Nelson was placed on the 15-day injured list with left shoulder inflammation Tuesday.
Nelson will now be sidelined for at least a couple weeks while tending to inflammation in his pitching elbow, which is never good news for a hurler. The 27-year-old had been going through a rough stretch on the mound, surrendering five earned runs over 1.1 innings in his last three appearances. It's unclear if the left-hander's stretch of poor performances had anything to do with potential arm issues or not, but he'll now at least have an opportunity to mentally reset while on the shelf. In a corresponding move, Arizona recalled right-hander Justin Martinez from Triple-A Reno on Tuesday.
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Diamondbacks' Kyle Nelson: Needed for length
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Nelson allowed one hit and struck out one over two scoreless innings in Monday's 5-2 loss to the Yankees.
Arizona starter Ryne Nelson was chased after five runs allowed in 2.2 innings, and the Diamondbacks got stellar relief beginning with Kyle Nelson's two frames. The lefty reliever has thrown four scoreless innings to open the season.
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Diamondbacks' Kyle Nelson: Returns to action
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Nelson (groin) allowed one walk over a scoreless and hitless inning in Monday's spring game against Oakland.
Nelson was held back for eight days while dealing with a groin injury, but manager Torey Lovullo never deemed the injury serious enough to impact the pitcher's availability for Opening Day. Nelson is expected to fill a middle-relief role for the Diamondbacks, as he's done each of the last two seasons.
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Diamondbacks' Kyle Nelson: Joins roster for NLDS
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Nelson is on Arizona's roster for its NLDS matchup against the Dodgers, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.
Nelson was left off the D-backs' roster in favor of Bryce Jarvis ahead of the NL Wild Card Series against Milwaukee, and the two pitchers will swap places for the NLDS. Nelson gave up six runs over 3.2 innings across his final five appearances in the regular season, so the Diamondbacks will likely limit him to low-leverage outings.
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Diamondbacks' Kyle Nelson: Listed as Sunday's starter
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Nelson is slated to serve as Arizona's opening pitcher for Sunday's season finale against Astros.
The Diamondbacks clinched a playoff berth despite losing Saturday, so Arizona will presumably look to rest its key pitchers in the regular-season finale in advance of the postseason. It's unclear if manager Torey Lovullo plans to use a bulk reliever behind Nelson, or treat the contest as more of a bullpen day. Either way, Nelson is unlikely to work more than inning or two Sunday.
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Diamondbacks' Kyle Nelson: Vultures fourth win
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Nelson (4-1) retired all three batters faced, striking out one, and was credited with the win over the Pirates on Saturday.
Nelson bridged the sixth and seventh innings for the Diamondbacks and benefitted from Pavin Smith's two-run home run to earn his fourth win of the season. The left-hander has pitched well in a middle-relief role for a second consecutive season. Nelson sports a 1.50 ERA over 18 innings (21 appearances) after pitching to a 2.19 ERA in 2022.
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Diamondbacks' Kyle Nelson: Unable to get out of jam
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Nelson blew the save Tuesday against the Athletics. He allowed one run on one hit while striking out one over one-third of an inning.
The Diamondbacks threw Nelson into a tough spot Tuesday, having the left-hander step in for Kevin Ginkel with the bases loaded and two outs. On his second pitch, Ryan Noda took Nelson yard for a game-tying grand slam, scoring Brent Rooker, Aledmys Diaz and Carlos Perez to bring the score to 8-8. Although Nelson was able to bounce back and get Ramon Laureano to go down swinging, the damage had already been done and the Athletics would eventually take the game in walk-off fashion in 12 innings.
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Diamondbacks' Kyle Nelson: Can't escape Kelly's jam
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Nelson allowed one hit and struck out two over one scoreless inning in Saturday's 5-3 loss to San Diego.
Nelson was charged with a blown save, but he was presented with the challenge of getting out of starter Merrill Kelly's none-out, bases loaded jam in the sixth inning. After the first two batters he faced struck out, Ha-Seong Kim's single on a ball hit with a .170 XBA found its way to the outfield to plate two runs. Nelson has pitched well out of the bullpen and earned the high-leverage chance. Even when the left-hander was tagged with Thursday's loss, it was due to two unearned runs thanks to a Nick Ahmed error. Nelson has a 0.93 ERA and 1.24 WHIP with 15 strikeouts and three walks over 9.2 innings.
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Diamondbacks' Kyle Nelson: Called up, appears in relief
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The Diamondbacks recalled Nelson from Triple-A Reno prior to Thursday's 8-2 loss to the Dodgers. He struck out two and worked around two hits in a scoreless inning.
The southpaw was in line to begin the season with Arizona's top affiliate, but Joe Mantiply's shoulder injury resulted in Nelson winning a spot in the Opening Day bullpen. The Diamondbacks are expected to deploy him mainly in low-leverage or middle-innings spots while he's up with the big club.
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Diamondbacks' Kyle Nelson: Will be in Arizona bullpen
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Nelson will have the final spot in the Diamondbacks' bullpen to begin the 2023 season, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.
Joe Mantiply is headed for a season-opening stint on the 15-day IL because of shoulder fatigue, and Nelson will essentially fill the vacancy. The 26-year-old left-hander registered a strong 2.19 ERA and 1.08 WHIP over 37 innings for the Diamondbacks in 2022.
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Diamondbacks' Kyle Nelson: Takes loss
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Nelson (2-1) picked up Monday's loss to the Dodgers, allowing three runs one hit, one walk and a hit batsman without retiring a batter.
Nelson came in after starter Ryne Nelson flummoxed the Dodgers over six shutout innings. The reliever Nelson, who had four straight scoreless appearances since coming off the injured list Sept. 1, left with none out and bases loaded. The lefty reliever has a 2.19 ERA, 30 strikeouts, 14 walks and 11 holds through 37 innings.
