D-backs secure sweep, debate how to juggle surplus of starting pitchers

MIAMI -- Ryne Nelson walked down to the visitors' bullpen at loanDepot park prior to the first pitch of Wednesday's game not sure if he would see action against the Marlins or whether he would start Friday against the Red Sox at Fenway Park.

It's the second time in a week that Nelson hasn't known exactly what his role would be, but after starter Jordan Montgomery made it through 5 2/3 innings in Arizona's 10-8 win, it was clear that Nelson would not be needed.

The D-backs, who completed a three-game sweep of the Marlins, have a surplus of starting pitching at the moment, and they are still figuring out the best way to juggle things.

When Eduardo Rodriguez and Merrill Kelly came off the 60-day injured list over the past two weeks, it gave Arizona six starters, including Nelson, Montgomery, Zac Gallen and Brandon Pfaadt.

Initially, it looked like Nelson might be the odd one out.

But as Nelson continued to stack good outing on top of good outing, the team faced a dilemma of who should come out of the rotation.

A lot of internal discussions commenced and the team was hesitant to go with a six-man rotation, preferring to keep every starter on their regular five-day routine.

So last time through the rotation, D-backs manager Torey Lovullo said that Nelson would be available out of the bullpen if needed during Montgomery's start and if not, the team would use a six-man rotation just one time through.

Montgomery went six innings against the Rockies in that game and Nelson got the start in the series opener against the Rays, where he once again pitched well.

So well, in fact, that it's hard for the D-backs to justify taking him out of the rotation.

"We do a lot of research," Lovullo said. "And I know I told you guys that we weren't going to go with the six man, and here we are, two turns into it. But we play the matchup game. We read things out and build it out from here until really the end of the season, almost. And things change. We're adaptable."

In short, the D-backs wanted to have lefties pitching against the Marlins, which is why Rodriguez and Montgomery started in this series, and right-handed pitchers throwing at Fenway Park, which is why Nelson, Gallen and Kelly will get the starts there.

After that, well, stay tuned, because things can change based on how each of the pitchers perform as well as how the matchups look.

"We'll probably spend some time here in the next couple of days figuring out what those plans are," Lovullo said.

Nelson, for his part, has just rolled along with things, reminding himself to only focus on the things he can control.

"I've been trying to just stay present and not try to think too far ahead or try to think about any managerial decisions," Nelson said. "I'm just trying to be ready when they tell me to be ready and if I get the ball, go out there and compete, whether that's starting or relieving."

Wednesday was not one of Montgomery's better outings, as he allowed six runs on 10 hits over 5 2/3 innings.

It's been a frustrating season for the left-hander, who was signed as a free agent after the season started, which did not give him the benefit of a normal Spring Training.

In 19 starts, Montgomery has a 6.44 ERA.

"I'm just going to keep working and be back out there," Montgomery said. "I'm just not gonna give up."