Dbacks recap and Notes

Nelson allowed three runs one two hits and one walk while striking out four over 3.1 innings in Wednesday’s spring start against the Athletics.

Nelson was able to work his pitch count to 56 (37 strikes) and generated 10 whiffs but was also taken deep twice in his third Cactus League start. He was removed in the middle of one inning to ensure that he got a fourth up-and-down. The right-hander has allowed five runs while striking out 10 and walking one over eight spring innings.

Carroll served as the Diamondbacks‘ designated hitter and went 0-for-3 with a strikeout in Wednesday’s 13-3 Cactus League loss to the Athletics.

Using an ax-handle bat, Carroll grounded out, flied out and struck out in his Cactus League debut, which had been delayed while he recovered from surgery to repair a broken right hamate bone. He told Steve Gilbert of MLB.com that using the bat was an adjustment but added it was “manageable.” The new handle is less painful than the bat Carroll would typically use, and the outfielder will have to work through that discomfort. He’s expected to serve as the DH for a few more spring games before returning to the outfield in advance of Opening Day.

Merrill Kelly had previously been tapped to start Opening Day for Arizona, but he will not be ready at that point as he recovers from a back injury.

As a result, Gallen — who re-signed with the Diamondbacks at the start of spring training — will be making his fourth consecutive Opening Day start. Gallen had a disappointing 2025 campaign, finishing with a 4.83 ERA and 175:66 K:BB over 192 innings.

Kelly (back) will make his Cactus League debut Friday against the Royals, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Kelly has been behind schedule after coming down with mid-back tightness in late February. The Diamondbacks have already ruled the right-hander out for Opening Day, but Kelly has a good chance to avoid the injured list and make a start in the second series of the season.

Carroll (hand) will make his Cactus League debut as the Diamondbacks‘ designated hitter in Wednesday’s game versus the Athletics, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Carroll is less than a month removed from surgery to remove a fractured right hamate bone, but he was cleared to resume swinging a bat by early March and has continued to ramp up his hitting progression without issue. The 25-year-old is being eased back in at DH but should be ready to play the outfield soon. Carroll is on track to be available for Opening Day.