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MLB·INJURY·June 19, 2026 09:15 PM ET

Diamondbacks' Nelson, Puk Facing Extended Absences With Arm Injuries

Arizona loses two arms to long-term injury.

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated Jun 201 min read
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DBacks starter Ryne Nelson, sidelined with a flexor strain and UCL strain, will undergo another MRI in 4-6 weeks. He hop

What happened: Arizona Diamondbacks starter Ryne Nelson is sidelined with both a flexor strain and a UCL strain and will undergo another MRI in four to six weeks. He hopes to return in September. Reliever AJ Puk has been shut down for another four weeks with a capsule strain and will also have a follow-up MRI in four weeks.

Why it matters: Losing Nelson from the rotation and Puk from the bullpen at the same time thins Arizona's pitching depth as the season wears on. A UCL strain in particular carries the risk of a longer recovery, and a September target would keep Nelson out for the bulk of the summer.

By the numbers: Nelson: flexor strain plus UCL strain, re-evaluation MRI in 4-6 weeks, hopes to return in September. Puk: capsule strain, shut down an additional 4 weeks, re-evaluation MRI in 4 weeks.

What to watch: Watch for the results of both follow-up MRIs, which will clarify whether either pitcher's timeline holds or slips further.

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