Injuries & Moves: Walston recalled; Gallen pushed back
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LATEST NEWS
May 1: LHP Blake Walston recalled from Triple-A Reno; LHP Andrew Saalfrank optioned to Triple-A Reno
After having to go with a bullpen game on Tuesday night, the D-backs needed a fresh arm in the bullpen. Walston, a starter throughout his Minor League career, will initially pitch out of the Arizona 'pen. Saalfrank was a big part of the Diamondbacks' success in September and October last year, but he struggled with his command during his big league stint this year.
May 1: RHP Zac Gallen pushed back
Gallen had been scheduled to start on Wednesday, but when Tuesday's first pitch was delayed by nearly two hours due to bees, Jordan Montgomery had to be scratched and pushed to Wednesday's game. Gallen, who exited his last start due to hamstring tightness, is healthy per manager Torey Lovullo, but the opportunity to give him extra rest with Thursday's off-day was one the club wanted to use to its advantage. Lovullo announced after Wednesday's loss to the Dodgers that Gallen is scheduled to pitch on Tuesday in Cincinnati.
April 30: Purchased contract of LHP Brandon Hughes from Triple-A Reno; optioned LHP Tommy Henry to Reno; transferred LHP Kyle Nelson to 60-day IL
Henry allowed two runs over four innings on Monday night against the Dodgers, and with Ryne Nelson set to come off the injured list when Henry’s turn comes around next, the D-backs elected to option him to Reno and call up an extra arm for the bullpen in the meantime. Kyle Nelson had been on the 15-day IL but will need thoracic outlet surgery, so he will be out for an extended period of time.
10-day/15-day injured list
RHP Paul Sewald (strained left oblique)
Expected return: TBD
The D-backs have slowed Sewald’s rehab, said GM Mike Hazen on April 27, and he will throw a bullpen May 1. Sewald appeared in a rehab game with Triple-A Reno on April 23, allowing one unearned run in two-thirds of an inning. He threw 21 pitches (14 strikes). Per Hazen, Sewald felt good during the outing but had soreness the day after. A follow-up MRI shows good healing in the oblique, but the team is going to slow things down as a precaution. Sewald should throw a bullpen the week of April 29 and then they will re-evaluate him. (Last updated: April 29)
RHP Ryne Nelson (right elbow contusion)
Expected return: Early May
Nelson threw a 70-pitch, five-inning simulated game on April 29. Manager Torey Lovullo said it is unlikely that Nelson will need a rehab stint and could be back at or shortly after his minimum stint on the IL is up, which is May 4. Nelson was struck on the right elbow by a line drive in the second inning against the Giants on April 18, and was forced to leave the game. (Last updated: April 29)
OF Alek Thomas (strained left hamstring)
Expected return: TBD
Thomas began baserunning activities on April 24, with manager Torey Lovullo saying that Thomas is doing everything except running full speed. Lovullo didn’t have a target date for a return, but he said Thomas is progressing well. Thomas injured his left hamstring when he grounded into a double play in the first inning on March 31 against the Rockies. He stayed in the game but was replaced defensively in the fourth inning, and underwent an MRI on April 1 that showed a strain in the hamstring that was greater than a Grade 1, but not quite a Grade 2. (Last updated: April 26)
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SS Geraldo Perdomo (right meniscus tear)
Expected return: Early to mid May
Perdomo underwent surgery on his right meniscus on April 8 and will likely miss at least a month. The shortstop exited Arizona's game on April 3 against the Yankees while rounding the bases in extra innings. An MRI on April 6 revealed a tear in his right meniscus. (Last updated: April 12)
RHP Merrill Kelly (right shoulder strain)
Expected return: TBD
Kelly was placed on the injured list on April 23, two days after being scratched from his start in San Francisco. Kelly said he felt something grab in his shoulder while playing catch in the outfield at Oracle Park on April 20. He returned to Phoenix for an MRI. Manager Torey Lovullo said the injury shouldn’t require surgery and that Kelly will undergo re-imaging in the upcoming weeks. (Last updated: April 23)
RHP Luis Frias (right shoulder inflammation)
Expected return: TBD
Frias had been optioned to the Minors on April 17, but complained of some shoulder discomfort and an MRI showed inflammation in the shoulder. The D-backs rescinded his option and instead placed him on the 15-day injured list. (Lasted updated: April 19)
60-day IL
LHP Kyle Nelson (thoracic outlet surgery)
Expected return: Possibly late this season
Further testing confirmed that Nelson will need to have thoracic outlet surgery. Dr. Gregory Pearl, who performed a similar surgery on Arizona right-hander Merrill Kelly in 2020, will operate on Nelson. (Last updated: April 30)
LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (left lat strain)
Expected return: May or June
Rodriguez's throwing program was paused after he experienced some discomfort in the left lat following an April 9 bullpen session. On April 17, he was moved to the 60-day IL. The southpaw was removed on March 19 against the Cubs in a Cactus League game with left lat tightness after completing his warmup tosses for the second inning. An MRI taken the following day showed a strain, and was placed on the injured list to open the year. (Last updated: April 17)
RHP Drey Jameson (right elbow inflammation)
Expected return: 2025
Jameson underwent Tommy John surgery last September and per manager Torey Lovullo he is expected to miss the entire 2024 season. (Last updated: Feb. 15)