Diamondbacks' Ryne Nelson: Could be shifted to bullpen

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said Monday that Nelson will be available out of the bullpen for Wednesday's game versus the Rockies, Jesse Friedman of GoPHNX.com reports.

Nelson will be ready in case starter Jordan Montgomery is unable to work deep into Wednesday's outing. If Nelson is not needed Wednesday, he will start Friday in Tampa Bay. If Nelson does in fact start Friday, it could be his last one for a while, as Lovullo says the club would then go back to a five-man rotation. Lovullo wouldn't commit to Nelson being the one to lose his rotation spot when that time arrives, but he looks to be the most likely candidate. Nelson holds a 2.90 ERA and 49:11 K:BB over 49.2 innings since the beginning of July, so he certainly doesn't deserve a demotion. However, he could be the team's starter most equipped to handle a shift to relief.