Ryne Nelson: Everything you need to know

Nelson didn't factor into the decision Friday against the Mets, allowing one run on two hits and one walk with seven strikeouts across 6.2 innings. It's the first time Nelson has gone at least six innings through eight starts this season, and he's now strung together back-to-back strong outings in May. He entered the month with a 7.71 ERA but has surrendered just two runs on six hits and three walks with 11 strikeouts across 12.1 innings over his last two starts. Nelson's lone mistake Friday was a solo homer allowed to Mark Vientos in the second inning. Nelson now owns a 5.68 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 35:14 K:BB across 38 innings on the year. Nelson has above-average stuff, highlighted by a 96.2 mph fastball and plus slider, and perhaps he'll be able to get his season on track following a second straight positive performance.

Nelson (1-3) allowed one run on four hits and two walks while striking out four batters over 5.2 innings in a loss to the Cubs on Saturday. Nelson pitched quite well, and the only run he gave up came on an Ian Happ solo homer in the second inning. However, the Diamondbacks' offense was completely shut down by a pair of Chicago hurlers, resulting in Nelson being saddled with the loss. Still, this was a promising bounce-back for the right-hander after he was pummeled for 14 runs over 5.1 frames across his previous two starts. Those disastrous performances are largely responsible for his ugly overall 6.61 ERA, but Nelson will try to build off Saturday's good outing when he next takes the mound, which is projected to be in a home matchup versus the Mets.

Nelson did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing six runs on seven hits and two walks over five innings against the Padres. He struck out four. Nelson was hit hard by the Padres in this neutral-site matchup at hitter-friendly Estadio Alfredo Harp Helu, serving up a pair of homers to Manny Machado. An offensive outburst from the Diamondbacks spared Nelson from taking the loss, but the right-hander's numbers are trending in the wrong direction. After posting a 3.54 ERA and 1.03 WHIP through his first five starts, the 28-year-old has allowed 14 runs over his past two outings and now owns a 7.71 ERA and 1.52 WHIP across 25.2 innings. He'll look to get back on track in his next start, tentatively scheduled for Saturday against the Cubs.