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Diamondbacks prospect Ryne Nelson to make MLB debut Monday vs. Padres

The Diamondbacks will promote right-hander Ryne Nelson from Triple-A Reno to make his major league debut on Monday in San Diego, manager Torey Lovullo said.

“He’s been throwing the ball real good,” Lovullo said. “We just want to give an opportunity to come up here and get some really good September baseball experience against some good baseball teams.”

Nelson, 24, was the Diamondbacks’ second-round pick in 2019 out of the University of Oregon. He was the organization’s pitcher of the year in 2021, when he posted a 3.17 ERA in 116 1/3 innings combined between High-A and Double-A.

His results have not been as impressive this year, which he spent entirely with Triple-A Reno. In 26 starts, he posted a 5.43 ERA with 128 strikeouts and 47 walks in 136 innings. It is worth noting that the Pacific Coast League — and Reno, in particular — is notoriously hard on pitchers; the league average ERA in the PCL is 5.44.

Lovullo said the Diamondbacks will use six starters for the time being and will “give some people some extra rest.” It is not clear if some starters will remain on a regular five-day schedule.

“It’ll all built around the doubleheader in LA,” Lovullo said, referring to the September 20 makeup of a game lost due to lockout negotiations. “We’re being mindful as early as possible about what that’s going to be. It makes a lot of sense. When you see it unfold, it makes a lot of sense.”

Nelson averages about 93 mph with his fastball. He also throws a slider, change-up and curveball.

Nelson is ranked as the eighth-best prospect in the organization, according to MLB Pipeline. He is sixth on Baseball America’s list.

Reach Piecoro at (602) 444-8680 or nick.piecoro@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on Twitter @nickpiecoro.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: D-Backs prospect Ryne Nelson to make MLB debut Monday vs. Padres