Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Ryne Nelson is demonstrating his versatility amid his emergence as an effective situational pitcher. While displaying promise as a starter, with 52 starts over the past two seasons, his role changed and he was moved to the bullpen for the 2025 season.
Diamondbacks Pitcher Ryne Nelson Demonstrating His Versatility This Season
Shift in Role
Nelson’s role changed this season to a utility bullpen arm due to the arrival of Corbin Burnes. Arizona has called upon him in various situations out of the bullpen. Already this season, he has come in as a long reliever, a middle-innings reliever, and to finish games, even pitching in extra innings.
Starter When Needed
We all know no team goes through the whole season with five starters anymore. Injuries and tired arms have forced teams to keep a spot starter available. With Nelson’s experience as a starter, he knows as well as manager Torey Lovullo that he will be utilized as an emergency starter when needed. That was demonstrated this past Tuesday when Burnes skipped his start due to inflammation.
Return to Starting Role
In his first start against the New York Mets, Nelson gave up two runs on three hits before leaving with one out in the top of the fifth. His only mistake was a significant one—he gave up a two-run home run to Pete Alonso in the fourth inning. Nelson finished the night with 70 pitches, and his fastball showed an increase in velocity and placement.
Credit to #Dbacks RHP Ryne Nelson for filling Corbin Burnes’ slot last night (4.1 IP, 3 H, 2ER, 4 BB, 2 K).
Over Nelson’s last 10.2 IP: 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, HR, 6 BB, 10 K
Ditto to LHP Tommy Henry who faced 9 hitters, gave up 1 hit, and recorded 8 outs.
— Arizona Diamondbacks | Stats & Info (@DbacksStatsInfo) May 6, 2025
Turn-Around 2024
After a challenging and not-so-easy first half, Nelson showed considerable improvement in the second half of the 2024 season. After posting a 6-6 record with a 5.69 ERA, he improved to a 3.23 ERA and went 4-0 with only a .223 batting average against him. He attributes this change to increased trust in his slider, which he started throwing more frequently. Nelson also changed his grip to improve its effectiveness. That change saw an increase in strikeouts and a better walk-to-strikeout ratio.
Improved Command
Nelson improved his command last season, especially in the second half. That change in command allowed him to become one of the Diamondbacks’ best arms. Those performances led to greater consistency and confidence on the mound for him.
Can Also Hit
I was watching the Dbacks game and they ran out of bench bats so they had to pinch hit one of their pitchers, Ryne Nelson
His last ab was in 2018 at the university of Oregon.
He hit .171 that year.
In his first major league plate appearance he just hit an RBI single 😂😂 pic.twitter.com/itnwzHbuZN
— Certified Sports Cards (Max) (@certifiedcards) March 30, 2025
The Diamondbacks used all their bench players in the March 30 game against the Chicago Cubs. And, after moving Ketel Marte from DH to second base, they lost their DH bat. Nelson had to hit for himself—his first-ever plate appearance in MLB. He hit a ball through the infield for an RBI single. It was part of an eight-run eighth inning and a 10-6 comeback win.
Focus on Improvement
Nelson is committed to improving his game. He is only 26 and knows—as does the coaching staff—that he is an integral part of their rotation. Look for him to build on his development and growth and become a more dominant pitcher, whether in a starting role or as a utility bullpen arm. Look for him to focus on providing the Diamondbacks quality performances now and in the future.
Photo Credit: © Michael Chow/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
