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Diamondbacks' Ryne Nelson: Struggles in third inning
Rotowire
Nelson allowed four runs on two hits and three walks while striking out four over 4.2 innings in a no-decision versus the Dodgers on Friday.
Nelson didn't give up much, but the Dodgers strung together a rally in the third inning. Alex Freeland tagged him for a solo home run and Mookie Betts added a three-run blast. Nelson threw 50 of 83 pitches for strikes in his season debut after working to a 3.18 ERA and 23:2 K:BB across 17 innings over five starts in spring training. He was a pleasant surprise in 2025 with a 3.39 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 132:41 K:BB over 154 innings across 33 appearances (23 starts) in the regular season. Nelson looks to be set as a full-time starter in 2026 and could eat his fair share of innings, but he doesn't have a lot of strikeout potential after a 7.7 K/9 last year. He is projected to make a home start versus Atlanta next week.
Diamondbacks' Pavin Smith: Late addition to lineup
Rotowire
Smith (elbow) will serve as Arizona's designated hitter and bat fifth Friday against the Dodgers.
Smith was a late scratch from Thursday's lineup due to elbow soreness. MRI results on his elbow came back clean Friday, and after feeling good following pregame batting practice, he's been given the green light to DH. The 30-year-old will aim to get off to a fast start after slashing .318/.318/.545 across 44 plate appearances in the Cactus League.
Diamondbacks' Geraldo Perdomo: Provides offense in loss
Rotowire
Perdomo went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run in Thursday's 8-2 loss to the Dodgers.
Perdomo gave the Diamondbacks the lead with his fourth-inning home run off Yoshinobu Yamamoto, but that was all the offense the team could muster. After the homer, Los Angeles pitching retired 18 of the final 19 Arizona batters. So far so good for Perdomo as he looks to prove that his breakout 2025 season (20 HR, 100 RBI) was no fluke.
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Diamondbacks' Zac Gallen: Fades in season-opening loss
Rotowire
Gallen (0-1) took the loss against the Dodgers on Thursday, allowing four runs on five hits and two walks while striking out two batters over four-plus innings.
Gallen looked strong through four frames, holding Los Angeles scoreless while allowing just two baserunners. However, things unraveled for him in the fifth, as he gave up a pair of singles followed by an Andy Pages homer to squander a 2-0 lead. Gallen remained in the game after the long ball, but he gave up another single followed by a walk and was subsequently pulled. Overall, he threw 47 of 76 pitches for strikes and got nine whiffs. It's an underwhelming start to the season for Gallen, who posted a career-worst 4.83 ERA in 33 starts last year.
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Diamondbacks' Pavin Smith: Will have MRI on elbow
Rotowire
Smith will undergo an MRI on his left elbow Friday, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.
Smith was initially in Thursday's Opening Day lineup against Yoshinobu Yamamoto but was scratched with left elbow soreness. Tim Tawa instead made the start at designated hitter and hit ninth for Arizona. Tawa, Jorge Barrosa and Ildemaro Vargas would be candidates for increased playing time if Smith needs to miss more action.
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Diamondbacks' Tim Tawa: Late add to starting lineup
Rotowire
Tawa started at designated hitter and went 1-for-3 in Thursday's 8-2 loss to the Dodgers.
Tawa was a late addition to the starting lineup when Pavin Smith (elbow) was scratched leading up to first pitch. Smith's injury doesn't sound serious, but it could result in more playing time for Tawa in the short term.
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Diamondbacks' Jordan Lawlar: Starts in LF
Rotowire
Lawlar started in left field and went 1-for-3 with a double in Thursday's 8-2 loss to the Dodgers.
Lawlar started in the outfield for the first time as a major leaguer. He and Alek Thomas are expected to share left and center field until Lourdes Gurriel (knee) returns from the IL. Lawlar finished up spring training as the No. 9 hitter, but he was moved up to seventh on Opening Day.
Smith was scratched from the lineup ahead of Thursday's game against the Dodgers due to left elbow soreness, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.
The Diamondbacks don't believe Smith to be dealing with anything serious, but the team won't take any chances during the first game of a long season. Tim Tawa will replace him as Arizona's designated hitter and bat ninth.
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Diamondbacks' Ketel Marte: Ready to go for Opening Day
Rotowire
Marte (leg) will start at second base and bat leadoff in Thursday's season opener against the Dodgers.
Marte had to be scratched from the Diamondbacks' final exhibition contest due to lower-leg soreness earlier in the week, but the minor injury won't keep him from suiting up Opening Day. The switch hitter batted second against right-handers last season, but he'll get a turn in the leadoff spot versus righty Yoshinobu Yamamoto on Thursday.
Diamondbacks' Paul Sewald: Early favorite for saves
Rotowire
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo indicated Thursday that Sewald is likely to get the first chance to serve as the team's closer, Cameron Cox of 12 News in Arizona reports.
When asked who will be the team's closer, Lovullo noted that Sewald has been a "very back end" reliever for a "long time" and "I'd be foolish not to strongly consider him" as closer. Lovullo did not mention any other relievers by name, only adding that Sewald will not be able to pitch every day, so the club will need "understudies" if Sewald is the closer. While Sewald looks like the clear early favorite for saves in the Diamondbacks bullpen, Kevin Ginkel and Ryan Thompson could also be in the mix. Sewald held a 4.58 ERA and 20:6 K:BB between the Guardians and Tigers during an injury-shortened 2025 season.
Diamondbacks' Blake Walston: Back on 60-day IL to open season
Rotowire
Arizona placed Walston (elbow) on the 60-day injured list Wednesday.
Walston will open a second consecutive season on the 60-day injured list after he was shelved throughout the 2025 campaign after undergoing Tommy John surgery March 26 of last year. Per Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com, Walston was spotted throwing off flat ground Feb. 10, but it's unclear if the southpaw has progressed to mound work since then. In any case, Walston will be out for at least the first two months of the 2026 campaign while he continues to build back up following surgery.
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Diamondbacks' Cristian Mena: Opening season on 60-day IL
Rotowire
The Diamondbacks placed Mena (shoulder) on the 60-day injured list Wednesday.
Mena didn't pitch after June 6 last season after straining his right shoulder and had received a clean bill of health heading into spring training before aggravating the injury early in camp. The right-hander remains shut down from throwing and will now be shelved for at least the first two months of the season while he continues to rehab the injury.
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