The D-Backs made a handful of strikes on tonight’s off day. Arizona activated Ryne Nelson from the 15-day injured record and recalled outfielder Alek Thomas from Triple-A Reno. The Snakes optioned Yilber Diaz and Blake Walston to open spots on the energetic roster.
Nelson’s return is the most important improvement. The fitting-hander has had a robust second half, working to a 3.39 ERA whereas putting out greater than 27% of opponents because the All-Star Break. Nelson outpitched Jordan Montgomery to solidify his rotation spot. He held that job till the center of September, when a bout of shoulder irritation despatched him to the injured record.
That briefly drew Montgomery again into the beginning 5. Arizona might use each Nelson and Montgomery out of the bullpen this weekend. The D-Backs will begin Merrill Kelly tomorrow to kick off their weekend sequence with the Padres. They haven’t introduced starters for his or her closing two video games. Eduardo Rodriguez and Brandon Pfaadt can be on schedule. They’re the third and fourth starters on paper, though Nelson had been handily outperforming each within the weeks resulting in his IL placement. Zac Gallen tossed 97 pitches over six innings in opposition to the Giants yesterday. He’s probably an possibility for Sunday on three days relaxation if the D-Backs are taking part in a must-win recreation.
Thomas returns to the outfield combine as a velocity and protection possibility off the bench. The D-Backs optioned him to Triple-A in the course of August. He suffered an harm inside every week and was out of motion till September 17. Thomas has solely appeared in 37 MLB contests this yr. He’s hitting .191/.248/.362 throughout 102 plate appearances. Jake McCarthy has surpassed him as the first heart fielder.
At 88-71, the Diamondbacks presently maintain the ultimate Wild Card spot. They’re share factors behind the #5 seed Mets. Arizona is technically one recreation up on the 86-71 Braves, however the groups have an equal variety of losses with Atlanta holding the tiebreaker. If the Braves had been to win out, they’d leapfrog the D-Backs.
Atlanta’s closing two video games — scheduled for subsequent Monday after this week’s hurricane-related postponements — are in opposition to the Mets. Meaning the Diamondbacks management their future. If Arizona wins out, they’d hold onto the sixth seed over the Mets even when the Braves handed them by additionally ending 91-71.
There’s lots at play. The Atlanta-New York postponement means there’s likelihood the D-Backs received’t know their destiny till Monday, regardless that Arizona’s common season ends on Sunday. The Mets are headed to Milwaukee this weekend, whereas the Braves host a Royals workforce that solely wants one win (or a Twins loss) to punch its ticket to October.
