The Diamondbacks declined their half of Melancon's (shoulder) $5 million mutual option for 2024 on Sunday, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Arizona unsurprisingly elected to pay the $2 million buyout after Melancon missed the entire 2023 campaign with a shoulder strain. The veteran right-hander recorded 18 saves in 2022 but was inconsistent with a 4.66 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 35:21 K:BB over 56 innings, likely limiting his options in free agency as he enters his age-39 campaign.

Manager Torey Lovullo announced Friday that Melancon (shoulder) has been shut down for the year, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Melancon began a minor-league rehab assignment last weekend with Triple-A Reno, but he was lit up for three earned runs while recording only two outs in his lone appearance on the farm. The veteran reliever suffered a subscapularis strain in his right shoulder this spring and did not wind up throwing a pitch in a major-league game this season. He carries a $5 million mutual option (or $2 million buyout) for the 2024 campaign.

Melancon (shoulder) allowed three runs in two-thirds of an inning Sunday in his first rehab appearance with Triple-A Reno.

EDGE Analysis

This was the first game appearance in 2023 for Melancon, who has been out all season after being diagnosed with a subscapularis strain in his right shoulder back in March. It wasn't an encouraging first performance for the veteran reliever, but he's still hoping to show the Diamondbacks he's ready to rejoin their bullpen before the end of the week.

Melancon (shoulder) has begun throwing off a mound, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Melancon began his throwing program back in late May, but was just cleared to begin throwing bullpen sessions within the past couple of weeks. There's no telling whether or not Melancon will be able to return to Arizona's bullpen before the end of the season, but considering how slow his rehab process has been up to this point, there's a chance the team opts to hold him out until 2024.

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said Friday that Melancon (shoulder) has been throwing off flat ground from 130 feet, MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Melancon began his throwing program all the way back on May 22, and even though he's experienced no reported setbacks in his recovery from a subscapularis strain in the ensuing two and a half months, he still hasn't been cleared to resume throwing off a mound. As a one-inning relief pitcher, Melancon will require less buildup time than a starter, but based on how slowly his recovery from the injury has proceeded thus far, it's far from guaranteed that he'll be ready to pitch by the time the regular season ends.

Melancon (shoulder) began a throwing program Monday.

EDGE Analysis

Melancon was diagnosed with a subscapularis strain back in March. The pitcher said there were a couple of tears, but surgery would not be required.

The Diamondbacks transferred Melancon (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

Melancon will move off the 40-man roster to help clear room for two new bullpen additions for the Diamondbacks in Peter Solomon and Jose Ruiz. The right-hander isn't expected to return until the summer after receiving a platelet-rich plasma injection in his strained shoulder in the middle of March.

Arizona placed Melancon (shoulder) on the 15-day injured list Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran reliever was given a platelet-rich plasma injection in mid-March in hopes of speeding along the recovery process. However, his absence could be a matter of months, not weeks.

Melancon was diagnosed with a subscapularis strain in his right shoulder Thursday and will begin the season on the injured list, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The news keeps getting worse regarding Melancon's shoulder. He will receive a PRP injection Thursday and is expected to miss the first few months of the season. Expect Andrew Chafin and Kevin Ginkel to pick up an increased share of save opportunities while Melancon is out.

Diamondbacks general manager Mike Hazen said Melancon has a shoulder issue and will likely miss the beginning of the season, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Manager Torey Lovullo previously said the veteran reliever was battling arm fatigue and emphasized that Melancon was fine. Now that it seems like Melancon will be sidelined for the start of the season, the door opens for other relievers like Kevin Ginkel and Andrew Chafin to pick up some saves early in the year.