Merrill Kelly

Fantasy News

• Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly: Making Cactus League debut Friday

  Rotowire Mar 10, 2026

  Kelly (back) will make his Cactus League debut Friday against the Royals, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports. Kelly has been behind schedule after coming down with mid-back tightness in late February. The Diamondbacks have already ruled the right-hander out for Opening Day, but Kelly has a good chance to avoid the injured list and make a start in the second series of the season.

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• Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly: Set for another bullpen

  Rotowire Mar 8, 2026

  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: Set to throw live BP

  Rotowire Mar 6, 2026

  Kelly (back) is slated to throw live batting practice Sunday, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports. Kelly threw a bullpen session Thursday and came away from the session feeling good. He'll take the next step in his recovery Sunday by facing batters. The 37-year-old threw roughly 30 pitches in the bullpen session and utilized his entire arsenal.

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• Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly: Feels fine after bullpen

  Rotowire Mar 6, 2026

  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.

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• Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly: Throwing bullpen session Thursday

  Rotowire Mar 4, 2026

  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

  Rotowire Mar 3, 2026

  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

  Rotowire Mar 1, 2026

  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: Has chance to avoid injured list

  Rotowire Feb 26, 2026

  Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said Thursday that Kelly (back) could avoid the injured list and make a start in the second series of the season if he's able to ramp up his throwing "sooner than later," Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports. It still seems more likely than not that Kelly requires a stint on the IL, as the Diamondbacks won't risk pushing the veteran hurler too hard just to get him back a handful of days sooner. However, even if the best-case scenario for Kelly's rehab doesn't come to fruition, his absence probably won't be long-term. Kelly has yet to pitch in a game this spring due to intercostal nerve irritation.

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• Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly: Undergoes additional tests on back

  Rotowire Feb 24, 2026

  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

  Rotowire Feb 21, 2026

  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.

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• Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly: Named Opening Day starter

  Rotowire Feb 14, 2026

  Manager Torey Lovullo said Saturday that Kelly will start the Diamondbacks' March 26 season opener versus the Dodgers in Los Angeles, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports. The 37-year-old entered camp as the favorite for the Opening Day nod, but the re-signing of Zac Gallen on Friday made the decision less obvious. Kelly posted a 3.22 ERA and 1.06 WHIP over 128.2 innings with Arizona last season but failed to match that production after being traded to Texas, where he put up a 4.23 ERA across 55.1 frames.

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• Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly: Back with Diamondbacks

  Rotowire Dec 14, 2025

  Kelly agreed to a two-year, $40 million contract with the Diamondbacks on Sunday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports. The 37-year-old right-hander was dealt by the Diamondbacks to the Rangers at the trade deadline in July, and he'll now return to the desert for an eighth season. Kelly should step back in as Arizona's ace after posting a 3.52 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 167:48 K:BB across 184 innings last season.

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• Rangers' Merrill Kelly: Hit hard in loss

  Rotowire Sep 22, 2025

  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: Settles in for 12th win

  Rotowire Sep 10, 2025

  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

  Rotowire Sep 6, 2025

  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: Cruises to 10th win

  Rotowire Aug 24, 2025

  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: Solid vs. former team

  Rotowire Aug 13, 2025

  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: Set for team debut Saturday

  Rotowire Aug 2, 2025

  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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• Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly: Works around four walks in win

  Rotowire Jul 20, 2025

  Kelly (9-5) earned the win Sunday against St. Louis, yielding two runs on three hits and four walks over six innings. He struck out five. Despite issuing four free passes for the second consecutive outing, Kelly managed to notch his 12th quality start with this 97-pitch performance. The 36-year-old limited the Cardinals to just one extra-base hit, a Victor Scott double in the third that turned into the first run, as he made his sixth straight start allowing three or fewer runs. Kelly will make an attractive trade chip for Arizona at the upcoming deadline because he's pitched to a 2.79 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 115:30 K:BB across 113 innings since a nine-run disaster at the Yankees on April 3. The veteran righty currently lines up for a juicy matchup at Pittsburgh next weekend.

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• Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly: Shaky command in win

  Rotowire Jul 13, 2025

  Kelly (8-5) allowed one run on one hit and four walks while striking out six over five innings to earn the win over the Angels on Sunday. Kelly battled calf discomfort in his last start, but he looks to be fine after a 98-pitch start, though he landed just 58 of those pitches for strikes. He was still able to limit the damage to a Mike Trout RBI single in the third inning, and the Diamondbacks gave Kelly plenty of support to pick up his first win in four starts. The four walks matched his season high from his first start of the year, while the right-hander was able to keep the ball in the yard for the first time in six outings. He's at a 3.34 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 113:33 K:BB across 116 innings over 20 starts this season. Kelly should be in line for a start in Arizona's home series versus the Cardinals after the All-Star break.

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