Kelly (12-9) took the loss Sunday against Miami, surrendering three runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out four over 4.1 innings.
The veteran right-hander cruised through the first three frames, allowing only two hits, but unraveled in the fourth and fifth, giving up five hits (including three doubles) and all three of his runs before being lifted. A short time ago, Kelly was a steady innings-eater for Texas, but he has now failed to complete six innings in three consecutive outings and has struggled overall, yielding 26 hits and 12 earned runs across just 13 innings during that stretch. The 36-year-old now owns a 3.52 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 167:48 K:BB across 184 innings.
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Rangers' Merrill Kelly: Bumped up to start Sunday
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Kelly will start Sunday's game against the Marlins, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.
Patrick Corbin was lined up to start, but he'll have his turn skipped due to the Rangers having an off day Thursday. Texas is clinging to very slim playoff hopes, so the team will instead turn to Kelly, who has a solid 4.06 ERA and 1.22 WHIP since being acquired at the trade deadline.
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Rangers' Merrill Kelly: Lasts three innings vs. Astros
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Kelly (12-8) took the loss Tuesday against the Astros, allowing six runs on nine hits and a walk while striking out one over three-plus innings.
Kelly never fully settled in, and his outing unraveled in the fourth when he allowed five consecutive hits on just 12 pitches without recording an out before being lifted. The six runs were his highest total allowed in a start since April 3, when he was tagged for nine by the Yankees. It also marked Kelly's shortest outing since 2022, a discouraging result for a Texas team fighting for a playoff spot. The 36-year-old will look to rebound in his next scheduled start against the Twins.
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Rangers' Merrill Kelly: Settles in for 12th win
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Kelly (12-7) earned the win Wednesday over the Brewers, allowing three runs on 10 hits across 5.2 innings. He struck out six.
Kelly's day got off to an inauspicious start, as he gave up back-to-back homers to Brice Turang and Jackson Chourio to lead off the game. However, the right-hander would right the ship and keep the Brewers from scoring again until the sixth inning en route to a 6-3 Texas victory. The 36-year-old Kelly has been sharp of late, posting a 2.61 ERA over his last six outings (38 innings). He'll look to keep it going his next time out, tentatively scheduled for next week on the road against the Astros.
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Rangers' Merrill Kelly: Contains Astros in no-decision
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Kelly took a no-decision Friday against the Astros, allowing one run on five hits and one walk in seven innings. He struck out seven.
Kelly continues to provide the Rangers with plenty of length, having now tossed at least six innings in five consecutive starts. The veteran right-hander is simultaneously riding a streak of five straight quality starts, posting a 2.23 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and 25:4 K:BB during that period. Kelly sports a strong 2.98 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 35:9 K:BB over 42.1 innings since joining the Rangers, and he's next slated for a difficult task against a Brewers team with an .823 OPS since the beginning of August.
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Rangers' Merrill Kelly: Picks up win with quality start
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Kelly (11-7) allowed three runs on six hits and struck out two without walking a batter over 6.1 innings to earn the win over the Athletics on Saturday.
This was Kelly's second straight win and fourth straight quality start. It was also the third time in six starts with the Rangers where he didn't walk a batter. He gave up solo home runs to Lawrence Butler and Brent Rooker in the third inning, but the Rangers' lead was never under any serious threat. Kelly is now at a 3.24 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 149:46 K:BB through 164 innings over 28 starts between Texas and Arizona. He's projected to avoid facing his former team next week and is instead lined up for a home start versus the Astros.
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Rangers' Merrill Kelly: Cruises to 10th win
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Kelly (10-7) tossed seven scoreless frames while allowing four hits and two walks to pick up the win Sunday against the Guardians. He struck out eight.
The veteran righty was masterful in this 96-pitch appearance to notch his third consecutive quality start, as he limited the Cleveland lineup to just four singles. Kelly has been dependable since joining the Rangers at the trade deadline, pitching to a 3.10 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 26:8 K:BB across 29 frames. In 157.2 total innings with Texas and Arizona, the 36-year-old now sports a 3.20 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 147:46 K:BB while tallying 16 quality starts. The free-agent-to-be is currently scheduled to make his next start on the road at the Athletics next weekend.
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Rangers' Merrill Kelly: Delivers quality start
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Kelly did not factor in the decision during Tuesday's loss to the Royals. He allowed two runs on two hits over six innings while striking out three.
Kelly was nearly untouchable Tuesday, but the only two hits he allowed were solo homers by Vinnie Pasquantino and Mike Yastrzemski in the first and sixth innings, respectively. It was Kelly's second straight quality start, and he needed only 71 pitches (50 strikes) to get it done. He's been taken deep five times in the last three games after giving up five homers over his previous eight starts. Kelly lowered his season ERA to 3.35 with a 139:44 K:BB through 150.2 innings. He owns a 4.09 ERA in four starts since being traded to Texas. Kelly is projected for a home matchup with the Guardians this weekend.
Kelly did not factor into the decision in Wednesday's loss to the Diamondbacks. He gave up two runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out five across six innings.
Facing his former team, Kelly turned in a solid bounce-back effort after giving up four runs in just 4.1 frames in his previous outing against the Phillies. The 36-year-old Kelly has held opponents to two runs or fewer in six of his last seven starts. His ERA sits at 3.36 with a 1.09 WHIP and 136:44 K:BB across 25 starts (144.2 innings) between Texas and Arizona. Kelly is currently lined up to face the Royals on the road in his next start.
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Rangers' Merrill Kelly: Labors in seventh loss
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Kelly (9-7) took the loss Friday against the Phillies, allowing four runs on five hits and five walks in 4.1 innings. He struck out four.
Kelly's second start since joining the Rangers didn't go nearly as well as his first, as he surrendered at least four runs Friday for the first time since June 15 against the Padres. It was also just the second time this year that the veteran right-hander was unable to toss at least five innings, and the five walks established a season high. Kelly will be looking to get back on track when he brings a 3.38 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 131:43 K:BB across 138.2 innings into his next scheduled outing, which is projected to be at home against his former Diamondbacks team.
Rangers' Merrill Kelly: Set for team debut Saturday
Rotowire
Kelly is scheduled to start Saturday's game against the Mariners at T-Mobile Park.
Acquired from the Diamondbacks on Thursday, Kelly will join the Texas rotation as a replacement for right-hander Kumar Rocker, who was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock on Friday. Set to become a free agent this winter, the 36-year-old Kelly will be looking to finish the 2025 campaign on a high note while he aims to secure one last big payday in the offseason. He had been Arizona's top starter this season prior to being dealt, turning in a 3.22 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 121:38 K:BB over 128.2 innings.
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Rangers' Merrill Kelly: Strong in Rangers debut
Rotowire
Kelly did not factor into the decision in Saturday's 6-4 extra-innings win over the Mariners, allowing two runs on four hits and no walks with six strikeouts over 5.2 innings.
Kelly cruised through five scoreless frames but faltered in the sixth, allowing two runs and departing an out shy of a quality start at just 69 pitches. The 36-year-old threw 48 strikes with an impressive 15 whiffs, and he's now yielded three earned runs or fewer in eight straight outings. He'll carry a 3.22 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 127:38 K:BB across 134.1 innings into a home matchup with the Phillies next weekend.
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Rangers' Merrill Kelly: Heading to Texas
Rotowire
The Rangers acquired Kelly from the Diamondbacks on Thursday in exchange for left-handers Kohl Drake and Mitch Bratt and right-hander David Hagaman, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
Kelly will step right into the rotation behind Jacob deGrom and Nathan Eovaldi, although it's unclear when he'll make his Rangers debut. The 36-year-old Kelly -- who is set to become a free agent this winter -- delivered a 3.22 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 121 strikeouts in 128.2 innings with Arizona this season.
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