Kyle Nelson - MLB News, Rumors, & Updates

Kicked off 40-man Nelson cleared waivers Wednesday and was outrighted to Triple-A Reno, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Impact 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.

NOVEMBER 6 • ROTOWIRE

Sent down to Reno The Diamondbacks optioned Nelson to Triple-A Reno on Wednesday.

Impact After giving up two runs in two-plus innings and collecting his first big-league save during his brief MLB stint, Nelson will return to the minors in favor of Casey Kelly. 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 Arizona before the end of the year.

AUGUST 6 • ROTOWIRE

Sent down to Reno The Diamondbacks optioned Nelson to Triple-A Reno on Wednesday.

AUGUST 6 • ROTOWIRE

Arráez's go-ahead single sparks 5-run 11th inning, Padres beat Diamondbacks 10-5

Luis Arráez hits the go-ahead single in the 11th inning, leading the San Diego Padres to a 10-5 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks

AUGUST 6 • Associated Press

Earns first major league save Nelson picked up the save Sunday against the Athletics, allowing one run on one hit while striking out one in the ninth inning.

Impact 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.

AUGUST 4 • ROTOWIRE

Blaze Alexander homers as the Diamondbacks beat the Athletics 6-4

Blaze Alexander homered to help the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Athletics 6-4

AUGUST 3 • Associated Press

Contract selected The Diamondbacks selected Nelson's contract from Triple-A Reno on Friday.

Impact 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.

AUGUST 1 • ROTOWIRE

Remains in organization The Diamondbacks outrighted Nelson to Triple-A Reno on Sunday.

Impact 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.

JULY 7 • ROTOWIRE

Remains in organization The Diamondbacks outrighted Nelson to Triple-A Reno on Sunday.

Impact He's no longer on the 40-man roster, but Nelson will remain in the organization after passing through waivers unclaimed. The left reliever has not 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.

JULY 7 • ROTOWIRE

Diamondbacks sign right-hander Jake Woodford to bolster injury-riddled bullpen

The Arizona Diamondbacks have signed pitcher Jake Woodford to bolster their injury-hit bullpen

JULY 2 • Associated Press

DFA'd by Arizona The Diamondbacks designated Nelson for assignment Wednesday.

Impact The D-backs needed to make room on the 40-man roster after signing Jake Woodford to a big-league deal Wednesday, and Nelson will end up as the odd man out. The 28-year-old has struggled in the minors this year, giving up 16 earned runs in just 18 innings at Triple-A Reno while striking out 12 batters and walking eight.

JULY 2 • ROTOWIRE

Dismissed from bullpen competition The Diamondbacks optioned Nelson to Triple-A Reno on Wednesday.

Impact 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.

MARCH 19 • ROTOWIRE

Falters in spring debut Nelson (shoulder) retired two batters and was charged with two earned runs on three hits while striking out one in Tuesday's 4-2 Cactus League loss to the Cubs.

Impact Making his spring debut after he had been sidelined since last April while he recovered from thoracic outlet syndrome surgery, Nelson perhaps unsurprisingly struggled with his command. He served up home runs to two of the five batters he faced and was charged with a blown save after giving up a 2-0 lead in the fifth inning. The southpaw possesses a spot on the Diamondbacks' 40-man roster, but since he has two minor-league options remaining, he could open the season at Triple-A Reno if the organization determines he needs more time to knock off some rust coming out of the spring.

FEBRUARY 26 • ROTOWIRE

Settles with Arizona The Diamondbacks and Nelson (shoulder) avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $825,000 contract Thursday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Impact Nelson had been eligible for arbitration for the first time. The left-hander missed most of the 2024 season after undergoing thoracic outlet surgery in May, and while he should have a shot to be ready for the start of the 2025 campaign, it's a notoriously tricky operation to come back from.

JANUARY 9 • ROTOWIRE

Getting additional opinions 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.

Impact 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.

APRIL 29, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Placed on 15-day IL Nelson was placed on the 15-day injured list with left shoulder inflammation on Tuesday.

Impact 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.

APRIL 23, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Kelly finds changeup, Kyle Nelson aims to stay in the big leagues SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Like the sun rising in the east, Diamondbacks starter Merrill Kelly has always been able to count on his changeup. But...

MARCH 14, 2024 • MLB.COM

Joins roster for NLDS Nelson is on Arizona's roster for its NLDS matchup against the Dodgers, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Impact 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 lefties 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.

OCTOBER 7, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Held off Wild Card roster Nelson is not on the Diamondbacks' roster for their Wild Card Series matchup versus the Brewers.

Impact Bryce Jarvis is essentially being carried instead as the Diamondbacks roll with 12 pitchers and 14 position players. Nelson surrendered 10 runs -- nine earned -- over his final 6.2 innings to close out the 2023 regular season.

OCTOBER 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Listed as Sunday's starter Nelson is expected to start Sunday's season finale against Astros.

Impact The Diamondbacks clinched a playoff berth despite losing Saturday, and it looks like Nelson, a reliever, will start Sunday. It's unclear if manager Torey Lovullo plans to use a starter for bulk innings or go with a bullpen day. The manager may want to preserve starters' arms in advance of the playoffs, which begins Tuesday.

OCTOBER 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Takes loss Nelson (5-3) was charged with the loss against the Dodgers on Wednesday. He allowed two runs on two hits and two walks and did not retire a batter.

Impact A tense pitching duel was decided when Nelson entered a scoreless game with two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning. He's typically been good when finishing off innings, but the left-hander allowed a double, an intentional walk, a walk then a two-run single to former Diamondback David Peralta. He's been a trusted bullpen piece for much of the season, but Nelson's posted a 6.43 ERA over seven innings since returning from the All-Star break.

AUGUST 10, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Will serve as opener Saturday Nelson will serve as the Diamondbacks' opener Saturday versus the Pirates, Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic reports.

Impact It'll be his first opener assignment of the year. Nelson has registered a strong 2.76 ERA with 42 strikeouts over 32.2 innings of relief this season with Arizona, but he'll probably only be asked to handle a frame or two Saturday against Pittsburgh and offers little fantasy appeal.

JULY 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Vultures fourth win Nelson (4-1) retired all three batters faced and was credited with Saturday's win over the Pirates.

Impact 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 .150 ERA over 18 innings (21 appearances) after pitching to a 2.19 ERA in 2022.

MAY 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Unable to get out of jam 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.

Impact 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, but Nelson was unable to work out of the jam. 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.

MAY 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Can't escape Kelly's jam Nelson allowed one hit and struck out two over one scoreless inning in Saturday's 5-3 loss to San Diego.

Impact 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 (.170 XBA) found its way to the outfield to plate two runs. Nelson has pitched well out of the bullpen. Even when he was tagged with a loss Thursday, it was two unearned runs, thanks to a Nick Ahmed error, that put the blemish on his record. Nelson has a 0.93 ERA and 1.24 WHIP with 15 strikeouts and three walks over 9.2 innings.

APRIL 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

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Arráez's go-ahead single sparks 5-run 11th inning, Padres beat Diamondbacks 10-5

Blaze Alexander homers as the Diamondbacks beat the Athletics 6-4

Diamondbacks sign right-hander Jake Woodford to bolster injury-riddled bullpen