Heading into the final series of the year against the San Diego Padres, the Diamondbacks have made a pair of roster moves. Right-hander Ryne Nelson has been activated from the 15-day injured list and outfielder Alek Thomas has been recalled from Triple-A Reno. For the corresponding roster moves, the team has optioned pitchers Yilber Diaz and Blake Walston.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Today’s #Dbacks roster moves. pic.twitter.com/Zff8HNctJc
— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) September 26, 2024
Nelson coming off the injured list is hardly a surprise, as the team indicated that it was going to be a minimal stay. He was placed on the IL, backdated to September 11, with right shoulder inflammation. He threw a couple of bullpens at Chase Field and is ready to go. It’s unclear how the team plans to deploy their rotation in the final series of the year, but with the off day on Thursday they can just utilize Merrill Kelly, Eduardo RodrÃguez, and Brandon Pfaadt for the three days and use Nelson out of the bullpen.
The addition of Thomas is somewhat surprising, but that may be because they feel they need his glove in the postseason. Hamstring injuries have slowed him down this year, and he lost his starting center fielder role to Jake McCarthy. Thomas is the team’s best defensive outfielder, although the metrics haven’t necessarily backed it up this season. He hit .360 with a double and a home run in his final seven games with Reno. He was a huge catalyst behind the team’s playoff run last season, hitting a game-tying home run in Game 4 of the NLCS that flipped the momentum of that series.
The decision to send down two pitchers is somewhat interesting, although in a do-or-die series it can be difficult to anticipate what they’re getting from both Walston and Diaz. Both pitchers made their debut this season and have had the typical ups and downs for a rookie season. Between Nelson and Montgomery, the Diamondbacks have plenty of bullpen coverage if they need someone to eat up some innings.
The hope is Arizona can get all their ducks in a row and put the final touches on securing a playoff spot this weekend. Their magic number to clinch is three, thanks to two head-to-head games remaining between the Mets and Braves. The question will be if they can make it happen before the other two teams play their makeup games in a Monday doubleheader, with the National League playoff chase is coming down to a photo finish.
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Diamondbacks headed for photo finish for one of the National League’s final playoff spots
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Michael McDermott covers the Arizona Diamondbacks, Arizona Cardinals, and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on X via @MichaelMcD8393
