Injuries & Moves: Progress for Thomas, Sewald, Nelson
LATEST NEWS
April 23: LHP Tommy Henry, LHP Andrew Saalfrank recalled; RHP Merrill Kelly, RHP Miguel Castro placed on IL
The D-backs placed Kelly on the injured list with right shoulder strain, a move that was expected after he was scratched from Sunday's start.
Castro was also placed on the IL with right shoulder inflammation. Manager Torey Lovullo said he has been dealing with soreness for the last couple of days and it just wasn't responding as the club had hoped.
Henry got the start on Tuesday night against the Cardinals. His last start was on April 16 with the D-backs when he allowed five runs in 4 1/3 innings against the Chicago Cubs.
Saalfrank appeared in 10 games last season for the D-backs and had six strikeouts with a 0.00 ERA.
April 23: RHP Justin Martinez recalled; LHP Kyle Nelson placed on IL
In a move announced minutes before the first pitch of Tuesday night’s game, the D-backs placed Nelson on the 15-day injured list with left shoulder inflammation. He has appeared in 11 games and has a 4.22 ERA this season.
Martinez has appeared in five games for the D-backs this season. He has a 3.60 ERA and seven strikeouts in five innings pitched.
10-day IL
OF Alek Thomas (strained left hamstring)
Expected return: TBD
Thomas is expected to begin 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 24)
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)
15-day IL
RHP Paul Sewald (strained left oblique)
Expected return: As early as this week
Sewald told manager Torey Lovullo that “he feels as good as he possibly could” after his first rehab appearance on April 23. He allowed one unearned run in two-thirds of an inning at Triple-A Reno. He allowed two hits, struck out two and walked one, throwing 21 pitches (14 strikes). Lovullo said the team is currently discussing whether Sewald's next step will be another rehab outing or rejoining the club. (Last updated: April 24)
RHP Ryne Nelson (right elbow contusion)
Expected return: Early May
Nelson is expected to throw a bullpen session at the team’s Spring Training facility on April 24. Manager Torey Lovullo said the swelling in Nelson's elbow is down, and he hopes to have Nelson back soon after the minimum 15 days he’s required to be out, which would be May 4 at the earliest. 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 24)
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)
LHP Kyle Nelson (left shoulder inflammation)
Expected return: TBD
Nelson was placed on the injured list minutes before the first pitch of the D-backs game on April 23. He has appeared in 11 games and has a 4.22 ERA this season. (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 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)