Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly: Rebounds for second win
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Kelly (2-3) allowed one run on three hits and three walks while striking out six over seven innings to earn the win over the Mets on Saturday.
Kelly had been knocked around in his previous three outings, giving up a total of 19 runs across 13.2 innings. He bounced back in a big way Saturday, delivering his best start of the year in a game where he had little margin for error. Performances like this one haven't been the norm in 2026 for the veteran right-hander, who is at a 7.62 ERA, 1.92 WHIP and 20:18 K:BB across 26 innings. Kelly's next start is lined up to be a daunting road assignment in Colorado.
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Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly: Hammered for six runs in loss
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Kelly (1-3) took the loss Sunday against the Cubs, allowing six runs on eight hits and three walks with five strikeouts across 4.1 innings.
Kelly had the strikeout stuff working at Wrigley Field, but when he wasn't getting whiffs, the Cubs were punishing the right-hander. Moises Ballesteros took Kelly deep in the third inning, and it was Kelly's sixth homer allowed in four starts. After missing the first three weeks of the season, Kelly has limped to a 9.95 ERA and ugly 14:15 K:BB across 19 innings. He's been tagged for 19 runs across 13.2 innings over his last three outings and will try to right the ship next weekend at home against the lowly Mets.
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Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly: Struggles with command again
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Kelly (1-2) took the loss Tuesday against the Brewers, allowing five runs on six hits and five walks while striking out one over five innings.
Kelly came into Tuesday looking to bounce back from a disaster outing in his last start, when he allowed eight runs in 4.1 innings against the White Sox, but his command issues continued to cause him trouble. The right-hander threw just 58 of his 104 pitches for strikes and issued five walks, creating constant traffic on the bases. Those free passes proved costly, as two of Kelly's walks came around to score in the fourth inning on a Joey Ortiz single. Through three starts, Kelly now holds a 9.20 ERA, 2.25 WHIP and 9:12 K:BB across 14.2 innings. With a tough matchup against the Cubs looming, it may be difficult for him to turn things around immediately.
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Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly: Shelled by ChiSox on Tuesday
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Kelly (1-1) took the loss against the White Sox on Tuesday, allowing eight runs on 10 hits and three walks while striking out five batters over 4.1 innings.
Kelly's outing got off to a disastrous start when he gave up four runs in the first inning. He then allowed three more runs -- on back-to-back-to-back homers -- in the second frame. Kelly bounced back a bit by yielding just one additional run over the remainder of his time in the game, but the early damage was more than enough to saddle him with his first loss in his second start of the season. Kelly has looked shaky so far with an 8:7 K:BB through 9.2 frames, but that could be a result of shaking off rust after missing the first the early portion of the campaign due to a back injury.
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Diamondbacks' Brandon Pfaadt: Saves bullpen in loss
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Pfaadt allowed one run on four hits and two walks while striking out three over 6.1 innings in Sunday's 10-4 loss to Toronto.
The results met the definition of a quality start, but Sunday's appearance was Pfaadt's first as a member of the Diamondbacks' bullpen. He gave the club exactly what it needed after starter Ryne Nelson allowed eight runs and retired just one batter. Prior to joining the 'pen, Pfaadt compiled a 5.94 ERA in three starts and was replaced by Merrill Kelly in the rotation.
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Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly: Collects win in season debut
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Kelly (1-0) picked up the win in Tuesday's 4-3 victory over the Orioles, allowing two runs on five hits and four walks over 5.1 innings. He struck out three.
The veteran righty got a belated start to the 2026 campaign due to a back issue, and he looked a little rusty in his season debut, tossing only 46 of 86 pitches for strikes and serving up a solo shot to Samuel Basallo. Kelly still did enough to record the win, and he'll get some extra time to rest before his next start as Arizona has team off days scheduled for Thursday and Monday. He lines up to make his next start early next week at home against the White Sox.
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Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly: Activated ahead of season debut
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The Diamondbacks activated Kelly (back) from the 15-day injured list Tuesday.
Kelly is set to make his season debut Tuesday in Baltimore after getting a late start due to a back injury. The veteran right-hander threw six innings and 83 pitches in an extended spring training game last week, so he should be able to handle close to a full workload against the Orioles. Brandon Pfaadt has been demoted to the Diamondbacks' bullpen to accommodate the return of Kelly.
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Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly: Season debut set for Tuesday
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Kelly (back) will be reinstated from the 15-day injured list to make his season debut Tuesday in Baltimore, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.
The right-hander threw five scoreless frames in a minor-league rehab start April 3 and continued to build up at extended spring training this past week with a six-inning, 83-pitch appearance. Kelly has missed the first few weeks of the season due to a back injury, but he should be able to handle a near-full workload for the Diamondbacks in his 2026 debut.
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Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly: Dazzles at Reno
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Kelly (back) allowed two hits and two walks while striking out two over five scoreless innings for Triple-A Reno on Friday.
Kelly made his first -- and perhaps only -- rehab start Friday and threw 72 pitches (40 strikes). That puts him in range to be activated next week. If Arizona chooses to bring him back, Kelly's five-day schedule lines him up to pitch next Wednesday against the Yankees in New York.
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Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly: Officially moved to IL
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The Diamondbacks placed Kelly on the 15-day injured list Wednesday due to left intercostal nerve irritation.
While Kelly won't be part of the Arizona's Opening Day rotation, he may need to miss only two or three turns before making his 2026 debut. Despite being set back by the injury in camp, Kelly was able to make three starts during spring training and most recently covered 52 pitches and two-plus innings Monday. He's expected to build on that workload in a rehab start with Triple-A Reno on April 3 and is tentatively scheduled for another minor-league tuneup outing April 8 before likely returning from the IL thereafter.
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Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly: Rehab schedule mapped out
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Kelly (back) is scheduled to pitch in a simulated game on the back fields of extended spring training Saturday, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.
If all goes well Saturday, Kelly will then pitch rehab outings for Triple-A Reno on April 3 and April 8 in preparation to rejoin the Diamondbacks for his 2026 debut. He was able to throw 52 pitches and worked into the third inning in his final spring outing Monday and said he still has work to do in terms of timing and mechanics. The right-hander is expected to be placed on the 15-day injured list prior to the Diamondbacks' season opener Thursday in Los Angeles.
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Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly: Expected to need rehab start
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Kelly (back) will make a rehab start at Triple-A Reno before being reinstated from the 15-day injured list, Jose M. Romero of The Arizona Republic reports.
This update shouldn't be much of a surprise for fantasy managers, as the D-Backs want to see how Kelly fares in a game setting before activating him from the IL. If all goes according to plan, the right-hander could be ready to make his 2026 debut at some point during Arizona's second road trip of the season, either in New York or Philadelphia.
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Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly: Headed to injured list
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The Diamondbacks will place Kelly (back) on the 15-day injured list to begin the regular season, Alex D'Agostino of SI.com reports.
Kelly was expected to have a delayed start to the year while he continues to work his way back from a back injury, and he will officially spend the start of the season on the IL. If he is able to return after a minimum-length stay, he'd be lined up to make his season debut April 7 versus the White Sox.
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Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly: Set for another bullpen
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Kelly (back) threw a successful live batting practice session Sunday and will throw another one this week before potentially pitching in a Cactus League game, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.
The veteran right-hander is working his way back from a bout of mid-back tightness, which prevented him from building up normally early in camp. Kelly is now ramping up his throwing sessions and could soon be cleared for game action. He won't be ready for the opening series of the season, but manager Torey Lovullo previously indicated that could still avoid a stint on the injured list to begin the campaign.
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Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly: Feels fine after bullpen
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Kelly (back) threw a bullpen session Thursday and said he felt fine afterwards, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports.
Kelly unleashed his entire arsenal during the session, throwing close to 30 pitches. "I got a chance to speak with him directly after the bullpen, and he said he feels really good," Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said. The Diamondbacks have yet to determine the next steps for the right-hander, but the fact that Kelly was able to return to the mound this early in spring training bodes well for his availability for the regular season.
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said Wednesday that Kelly (back) will throw a bullpen session Thursday, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.
Kelly came down with mid-back tightness shortly after camp opened, and as a result, will no longer start for the Diamondbacks on Opening Day. However, he has a chance to avoid the injured list and make a start in the second series of the season, and a return to the mound Thursday is a big step toward accomplishing that goal.
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Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly: Throwing from 60 feet
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Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said Tuesday that Kelly (back) has extended his throwing distance to 60 feet, Alex D'Agostino of SI.com reports.
The right-hander resumed playing catch over the weekend after being shut down for a week due to mid-back tightness, and he's now ramping his throwing program back up. Kelly could soon return to throwing bullpen sessions and has a chance to avoid an IL stint to begin the season, if he can avoid any setbacks.
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Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly: Hoping to avoid IL stint
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Kelly (back) said Sunday that he's optimistic he'll avoid a stint on the injured list to begin the regular season, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.
Kelly is no longer in line to start Opening Day versus the Dodgers, but he could be ready to pitch in Arizona's second series of the season at home versus Detroit, which runs March 30 through April 1. The right-hander was shut down one week ago after experiencing mid-back tightness but has seemingly responded well since receiving a cortisone shot. He was able to play catch Sunday without issue and could gradually increase the distance and intensity of his throwing sessions during the upcoming week.
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Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly: Undergoes additional tests on back
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Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said Tuesday that Kelly has undergone additional testing on his injured back, including a CT scan, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.
Kelly -- who is battling mid-back tightness -- has also had an MRI. Lovullo said Monday that Kelly was feeling good, so the additional tests could be a precautionary measure. The Diamondbacks hope to know more about the veteran right-hander's condition by Wednesday.
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Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly: Live BP cancelled due to back issue
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Kelly will no longer throw live BP Saturday because of mid-back tightness, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.
Kelly is battling back tightness and won't throw his previously scheduled live BP session. The veteran right-hander will undergo further testing in the next 24 hours, at which point a status update will likely be provided. Kelly has already been named the Diamondbacks' Opening Day starter.
