Dbacks Recap and Notes

Burnes (elbow) threw a bullpen session Monday, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Burnes threw a second bullpen session and mixed in curveballs after tossing 15 pitches (all fastballs) last Friday. The plan going forward calls for the right-hander to pitch again this coming Friday, and to then complete two sessions per week for the next month while incorporating all his pitches. At the moment, Burnes is estimated to be throwing at about an 80-to-85 percent effort level.

McCann went 2-for-4 with a double, a home run, three RBI and an additional run scored in Monday’s spring game against Cincinnati.

McCann swatted his first home run of the Cactus League and is batting .214 over 28 spring at-bats. He’s expected to serve as the backup to Gabriel Moreno (forearm) but could be needed for more depending on the starter’s recovery. Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo told Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports on Monday that Moreno will begin a throwing program next week, which also marks the start of the regular season. Lovullo is confident there’s enough time for the injured catcher to ramp up for Opening Day; if not, McCann appears ready to fill in.

Nelson allowed one run on four hits and one walk while striking out six over four innings in Monday’s spring start against the Reds.

Nelson upped his pitch count to 66 (39 strikes) in his fourth Cactus League start and will get one more outing in before the regular season. He sports a 4.50 ERA with 16 strikeouts and just two walks over 12 innings. Arizona manager Torey Lovullo hasn’t set his rotation for the regular season beyond Zac Gallen on Opening Day, but Nelson should be among the top three.

Arizona manager Torey Lovullo expressed confidence Monday that Moreno (forearm) will be available for the Diamondbacks‘ March 26 season opener versus the Dodgers, Jose M. Romero of The Arizona Republic reports.

Moreno received good news over the weekend, when an MRI administered on his aching right forearm revealed inflammation but no structural damage. Though the injury isn’t expected to affect Moreno at the plate, Lovullo said that the catcher will be barred from throwing this week while he waits for the inflammation to subside. Assuming he’s cleared to make a start behind the dish in one of the Diamondbacks’ exhibitions versus the Guardians early next week, Moreno should be ready to catch for Opening Day starter Zac Gallen on March 26.

The Diamondbacks signed Urias to a minor-league contract Monday.

The 28-year-old infielder appeared in 96 games for the Athletics last season and slashed .230/.315/.338 with eight home runs, 25 RBI, 27 runs scored, two stolen bases and a 31:45 BB:K across 330 trips to the plate. He was released in August and then latched on with the Brewers before spending the remainder of the 2025 season at Triple-A Nashville. Given his late signing, Urias won’t be a candidate to join Arizona’s Opening Day roster, but he could eventually get a look with the big club as a utility infielder.