Dbacks recap and news

Burnes (elbow/shoulder) threw 20 pitches in a live batting practice session Friday, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports.

This was Burnes’ first session with hitters. He’ll follow up with two innings and 35 pitches in a bridge game Tuesday. Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo indicated that Burnes is anxious to pitch in a real game, but the manager will hold off on that until sometime shortly after Sept. 1.

Gallen (elbow) threw two innings and 35 pitches to live hitters Thursday, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports.

Gallen is next scheduled to throw a bullpen session Saturday after which the club will decide next steps. Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said there is a target date for Gallen and fellow injured starter Corbin Burnes (elbow), but the manager wasn’t ready to reveal it and prefers to take the progression step-by-step before making any announcements.

Nelson (elbow) threw 25 pitches in the bullpen Friday, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports.

Nelson began his bullpen progression Friday. If the right-hander comes out of Friday’s session without issue, he’ll throw another one Tuesday. The Diamondbacks are leaning toward bringing Nelson back as a reliever, which will require a shorter ramp-up, as injured starters Corbin Burnes (elbow) and Zac Gallen (elbow) are ahead of him.

Fernandez went 1-for-2 with two walks, a stolen base and one run scored in Friday’s 9-0 win over the Reds.

Fernandez has now started at third base in four consecutive games while Nolan Arenado is limited to serving as the designated hitter. Fernandez has gone 5-for-13 over those games, so he could end up hitting his way into a more permanent spot in the infield. For the year, he’s batting .264 with a .672 OPS, three home runs, eight steals, 16 RBI, 25 runs scored and nine doubles over 193 plate appearances.