Notes for Diamondbacks Notes on Sewald, Thomas, Nelson, E-Rod and Perdomo

Paul Sewald and Alek Thomas could return from being on injured list on Tuesday when the Diamondbacks kick off a six-game road trip against the Reds. Sewald hasn’t pitched this year due to a Grade 2 oblique strain suffered during Spring Training while Thomas managed four games before becoming incapacitated with a hamstring strain.
Sewald appears closer than ever to being activated, having joined the D’Backs in their clubhouse today prior to heading for Cincinnati. After beginning a Triple-A rehab assignment with two-thirds of an inning on April 23 and feeling sore from a bullpen session two days later, subsequent bullpen sessions went more smoothly, and after tossing an inning during an extended Spring Training game Saturday Sewald could soon start his 2024 season off rightly.
Arizona Diamondbacks bullpen has been unsteady at best this year. Sewald will look to emulate what he accomplished last summer after joining Arizona from Seattle at trade deadline, when he helped solidify Arizona’s ninth inning situation and contributed significantly in their postseason pennant-winning drive. Sewald made headlines for this performance as his 2.95 ERA over 183 1/3 innings posted since starting with M’s and D’Backs since start of 2021 season was showcased through it all.
Thomas has become more familiar with the hype train since becoming one of MLB’s top 100 prospects, yet is yet to break through in his third Major League season. On one hand, Thomas has proved adept defensively at center field while providing speed; on the other hand, his overall batting line of.230/.273/.362 leaves much room for improvement.
Once Thomas returns, the Diamondbacks should be able to implement their preferred outfield alignment: Corbin Carroll in right field; Thomas in center; Lourdes Gurriel Jr in left; Randal Grichuk and Jake McCarthy providing depth (Grichuk likely covering left-handed pitches against him), with Randal Grichuk/Jake McCarthy providing relief against left-hand pitching from Randall Grichuk or Jake McCarthy respectively (with Grichuk potentially replacing Thomas against lefties). It may help Carroll regain his hitting touch; his struggles could possibly stemmed from taking over regular center field duties with Thomas out, with Grichuk providing coverage against left-handed pitches while Grichuk/Marcymy provides depth against lefthanded pitchers (Waltson/Thomp).
Regarding injury returns, Arizona D’Backs were given some reinforcement today when Ryne Nelson returned from their 15-day disabled list and was activated from it. Nelson hadn’t pitched since being hit in the elbow by a line drive on April 18, allowing four earned runs over five innings but still earning Arizona an 11-4 victory against San Diego Padres.
Nelson provides some relief to an MLB rotation still missing Merrill Kelly and Eduardo Rodriguez due to their inclusion on the 60-day injured list (IL). Kelly will likely miss until at least late June; manager Torey Lovullo offered some hope about Rodriguez by informing Alex Weiner from Arizona Sports and other reporters that Eduardo would undergo further testing of his injured lat muscle before potentially beginning throwing exercises soon thereafter if all goes according to plan and all tests come back clean. Lovullo hinted E-Rod could soon begin throwing programs after all tests have come back clean results and E-Rod is feeling well and tests come back clean then Lovullo could start up throwing programs soon enough, indicating a full comeback soon after all tests come back clean that E-Rod could soon start throwing program immediately!
Rodriguez began this season on the 15-day IL before transitioning to 60 days, so late May is his best case scenario for making his D’Backs debut. However, due to some significant ramp-up time being necessary and continued discomfort in his lat, it may take until early June for Rodriguez’s rehab process to reach completion.
Lovullo provided an update on Geraldo Perdomo, as the infielder continues to throw and take grounders three weeks post surgery. “Three weeks post surgery means being mindful with their next steps as we get close to him returning full baseball activities – something which I am really happy about!” he informed Weiner and company. Perdomo tore his right meniscus just short of four weeks ago and is on track with typical recovery timeline of six to eight weeks for such injuries.