Arizona Diamondbacks left-hander Jordan Montgomery will return to the starting lineup on Tuesday against the Colorado Rockies.

Montgomery, who was moved to the bullpen after posting a 7.02 ERA (4.76 FIP) in 17 starts since early May, will start in place of Ryne Nelson, who was placed on the 15-day injured list on Saturday, retroactive to Wednesday, because of right shoulder inflammation. This gives Nelson a small window for a pre-postseason start, which would have to come in the team’s final series against the San Diego Padres.

Montgomery, 31, was a key player in the Texas Rangers’ 2023 World Series run, posting a 2.90 ERA in 31 innings during the postseason. The Diamondbacks signed him to a $25 million contract shortly after Opening Day with a player option for 2025, currently at $22.5 million. In 23 appearances (19 starts) this season, Montgomery has an 8-6 record and a 6.25 ERA.

It will be Montgomery’s first start since Aug. 21 and he will face Rockies RHP Ryan Feltner, who has a 4.89 ERA in 27 starts this season. Left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez will start for the Diamondbacks on Wednesday.

Diamondbacks injury woes continue

In addition to Nelson’s placement on the injured list, the Diamondbacks also placed reliever Paul Sewald on the 15-day injured list on Sunday due to neck discomfort, retroactive to Thursday.

He is eligible to return on Sept. 27, three days before the end of the regular season. The team recalled right-hander Scott McGough from Triple-A Reno to provide additional bullpen support and sent catcher Adrian Del Castillo to the minor leagues.

After the game against Colorado, the Diamondbacks travel to Milwaukee to play three games against the Brewers. Arizona then hosts San Francisco and San Diego for three games each to close out the regular season.

The Diamondbacks are currently six games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers at the top of the NL West and occupy the second wild card spot, with the New York Mets and Atlanta Braves hot on Arizona’s heels.