DBacks’ Ryne Nelson on the key to his success in win vs. Blue Jays
Arizona Diamondbacks’ Ryne Nelson allowed one run on one hit in 5 2/3 innings, and the Diamondbacks left Toronto with a 9-5 win.
DENVER — Left-hander A.J. Puk did not require a full Tommy John reconstruction on his left elbow, manager Torey Lovullo said, a small bit of good news that should aid his timeline to return next season.
Puk, who had surgery on Friday, June 20, had his ulnar collateral ligament repaired with an internal brace procedure.
Tommy John surgery involves harvesting a tendon from elsewhere in the body for it to serve as the new ligament. The internal brace procedure is more of a repair of the existing ligament.
Tommy John comes with a recovery timeline of roughly 18 months, while pitchers who have had the internal brace tend to return to the mound closer to the 12-month mark.
“Hopefully it’s a bit sooner than later,” Lovullo said.
Puk, who entered the season as one of the Diamondbacks’ top relievers, will be arbitration-eligible for one more season before potentially hitting free agency after the 2026 season.
Right fielder Corbin Carroll was out of the lineup for a third consecutive game, but manager Torey Lovullo seemed hopeful that he could get back in action for the series finale against the Rockies on Sunday, June 22.
“We’ll categorize him as day to day,” Lovullo said of Carroll. “He’s as good as we have when it comes to knowing his body. When he says he’s getting close, I trust him.”
If Carroll could play in the finale, that would line up well, considering Lovullo is likely to give second baseman Ketel Marte the day off. For years, Marte has asked to be used conservatively during trips to Coors Field, where he has sustained multiple hamstring injuries during his career.
“Yeah, they’re two of our best players, so if one is subbing out, you’d like to sub one in,” Lovullo said. “Whatever happens, we’ll figure it out. The design is to get Ketel off his feet tomorrow.”
Diamondbacks at Rockies, 6:10 p.m., Cox, Ch. 34
Diamondbacks RHP Merrill Kelly (6-3, 3.41) vs. Rockies LHP Carson Palmquist (0-4, 7.76).
At Coors Field: Kelly gave up four runs in five innings against the Padres in his most recent start, taking the loss as the Diamondbacks tried to go for a three-game sweep. The outing snapped what was a two-start scoreless streak spanning 13 innings. … Kelly owns a 3.26 ERA in 16 career starts against the Rockies, whom he shut down over seven scoreless innings in a start earlier this season. He has a 4.25 ERA in eight career starts at Coors Field. … Palmquist was a third-round pick out of Miami in 2022. He logged a 3.82 ERA in seven starts in Triple-A before debuting in mid-May. He has yet to pitch more than five innings in any of his six starts in the majors. … He faced the Diamondbacks in his big-league debut on May 16 and gave up five runs in four innings. … He throws a four-seamer that averages 90 mph along with a sweeper, cutter and occasional change-up.
Coming up
Sunday, June 22: At Colorado, 12:10 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Brandon Pfaadt (8-4, 5.38) vs. Rockies RHP Antonio Senzatela (2-10, 6.72).
Monday, June 23: At Chicago, 4:40 p.m., Diamondbacks LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (2-4, 5.93) vs. White Sox RHP Shane Smith (3-4, 2.85).
Tuesday, June 24: At Chicago, 4:40 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Ryne Nelson (4-2, 3.88) vs. White Sox RHP Sean Burke (3-7, 4.50).