Merrill Kelly

Fantasy News

• 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: Bumped up to start Sunday

  Rotowire Sep 20, 2025

  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: 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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• Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly: In clear to start Sunday

  Rotowire Jul 13, 2025

  Kelly (calf) will start Sunday's game against the Angels in Anaheim. Kelly dealt with some right calf discomfort in his most recent start Tuesday but still covered seven innings and 77 pitches before he was lifted. Afterward, manager Torey Lovullo downplayed the issue, and Kelly validated his skipper's optimism. The right-hander will head into his final appearance before the All-Star break having turned in quality starts in five of his past seven outings.

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• Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly: Unlucky loss Tuesday

  Rotowire Jul 9, 2025

  Kelly (7-5) allowed one run on four hits and struck out four without walking a batter over seven innings, taking the loss Tuesday versus the Padres. Kelly was stuck with an unlucky loss, as he gave up the lone run of the game on a Luis Arraez solo shot to lead off the bottom of the seventh inning. This was the fifth straight start in which Kelly has given up a home run. He's given up 16 runs (13 earned) over 29 innings in that span, which has been one of his more modest stretches in a strong campaign. Overall, Kelly has a 3.41 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 107:29 K:BB across 111 innings over 19 starts. He is projected to start this weekend on the road versus the Angels.

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• Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly: Another scoreless start

  Rotowire Jun 10, 2025

  Kelly allowed four hits and two walks while striking out seven over six scoreless innings in a no-decision versus the Mariners on Monday. Kelly logged his third scoreless outing of the season, all of which have come in his last five starts. It hasn't been a stretch of consistency, as he allowed a total of 10 runs (eight earned) over 11 innings in the other two starts in that span. Kelly is still looking like one of the more reliable pitchers in the majors this year with a 3.18 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 79:21 K:BB over 82 innings through 14 starts. The 36-year-old is penciled in for a weekend start at home versus the Padres.

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• Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly: Rebounds with seven shutout innings

  Rotowire Jun 5, 2025

  Kelly (6-2) earned the win Wednesday against Atlanta after giving up one hit and one walk in seven scoreless innings. He struck out eight. After conceding eight runs over his previous two starts, Kelly bounced back in a big way Wednesday. The veteran right-hander submitted his seventh quality start of the year, and it was the sixth time in his last 11 appearances that he fired at least six frames while yielding two runs or fewer. Kelly sports a 2.55 ERA, 0.84 WHIP and 69:12 K:BB over 67 innings since April 8, and he's next projected to face a Mariners a club with a .654 OPS against right-handed pitching across 29 outings since May 1.

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• Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly: Fades late in no-decision

  Rotowire May 24, 2025

  Kelly came away with a no-decision in Saturday's 6-5 loss to the Cardinals, giving up four runs on six hits and a walk over six-plus innings. He struck out six. The veteran righty was locked in a pitchers' duel with Matthew Liberatore through six frames, but Kelly put the first three batters of the seventh on base with two hits and a walk, and all three came around to score after he'd left the mound. The Diamondbacks struck back for four runs in the top of the eighth to take him off the hook for the loss, however. Kelly was sharp prior to the late fade, racking up 31 called or swinging strikes among his 100 pitches (66 total strikes), and he'll take a 3.52 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 58:16 K:BB through 64 innings into his next start, which lines up to come at home next weekend against the Nationals.

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• Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly: Dazzles in win

  Rotowire May 18, 2025

  Kelly (5-2) picked up the win Sunday against Colorado, allowing one hit and three walks with 11 strikeouts over seven scoreless innings. Kelly dominated the Rockies, tossing his first scoreless start of 2025 and setting season-best marks in hits allowed and strikeouts. The 36-year-old has been stellar this year outside of a blowup start against the Yankees on April 3, owning a 1.99 ERA and a 50:12 K:BB over 54.1 innings in his other appearances. He's expected to take the mound again next weekend during a road series against the Cardinals.

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• Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly: Ready to start Wednesday

  Rotowire May 5, 2025

  Kelly (hamstring) is listed as the Diamondbacks' probable starter or Wednesday's game against the Mets in Arizona. The Diamondbacks are already having Corbin Burnes (shoulder) skip his start during the three-game series versus the Mets, but the team won't have to make any further additions to the rotation with Kelly having bounced back well since exiting his most recent outing Friday in Philadelphia due to right hamstring cramping. He's now experienced leg cramps in two of his last three starts, but Kelly has pitched effectively in each of those occasions. He'll enter Wednesday's contest with a 4.06 ERA and 1.06 WHIP over 37.2 innings on the season.

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• Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly: Gives up two homers in no-decision

  Rotowire Apr 26, 2025

  Kelly allowed two runs on four hits and a walk while striking out four over six innings in a no-decision versus Atlanta on Saturday. Kelly gave up solo shots to Marcell Ozuna in the first inning and Sean Murphy in the second. He settled in after that and left in line for the win before Jalen Beeks blew the lead by allowing three runs in the eighth. This was Kelly's third quality start of the season, and he came up just one out short of that achievement in his previous outing, which was cut short by a minor leg injury. The right-hander is now at a 4.41 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 25:12 K:BB across 32.2 innings over six starts this season. The walk rate is a little elevated, but nothing is too far out of line with his career norms. Kelly's next start is projected to be at Philadelphia.

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• Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly: Fans nine in win

  Rotowire Apr 15, 2025

  Kelly (3-1) allowed a run on three hits and a walk over six innings Tuesday, striking out nine and earning a win over the Marlins. Kelly cruised to an easy win while his offense posted a double-digit scoring performance. The lone run against him was an RBI groundout from Liam Hicks in the second inning. Kelly forced a season-high 13 whiffs after generating just 19 total in his first three starts. He still owns an unsightly 5.57 ERA, but that was mostly due to his nine-run blow-up start against the Yankees on April 3. Kelly is currently projected for a road matchup against the Cubs this weekend.

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