Merrill Kelly - MLB News, Rumors, & Updates

Diamondbacks face the Tigers leading series 1-0

The Arizona Diamondbacks bring a 1-0 lead into the latest game of the series against the Detroit Tigers

34 MINS AGO • Associated Press

Diamondbacks look to stop 3-game slide, take on the Tigers

The Arizona Diamondbacks head into a matchup against the Detroit Tigers after losing three straight games

1 DAY AGO • Associated Press

Dodgers try to sweep series against the Diamondbacks

The Los Angeles Dodgers face the Arizona Diamondbacks looking to sweep their three-game series

3 DAYS AGO • Associated Press

Dodgers play the Diamondbacks with 1-0 series lead

The Los Angeles Dodgers take a 1-0 advantage into the next game of the series against the Arizona Diamondbacks

4 DAYS AGO • Associated Press

Officially moved to IL The Diamondbacks placed Kelly on the 15-day injured list Wednesday due to left intercostal nerve irritation.

Impact 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 tune-up outing April 8 before likely returning from the IL thereafter.

5 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Schedule mapped out Kelly (back) will start a backfield game at Arizona's training camp Saturday, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports.

Impact If all goes well Saturday, Kelly will pitch rehab outings for Triple-A Reno on April 3 and April 8 in preparation to rejoin the Diamondbacks for his subsequent appearance. 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 open the season on the 15-day injured list.

5 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Merrill Kelly Struggles Through Rough Chase Field Outing Merrill Kelly looked like a pitcher still working his way back from an injury in the Diamondbacks exhibition matchup with Cleveland Guardian...

MARCH 24 • SI.COM

Expected to need rehab start 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.

Impact 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.

MARCH 24 • ROTOWIRE

Diamondbacks right-hander Merrill Kelly will begin the season on the injured list

Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Merrill Kelly will begin the season on the injured list

MARCH 21 • Associated Press

Headed to injured list The Diamondbacks will place Kelly (back) on the 15-day injured list to begin the regular season, Alex D'Agostino of SI.com reports.

Impact 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 first 15 days 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 10 in Philadelphia.

MARCH 21 • ROTOWIRE

NL West Preview: Everyone is still chasing the Dodgers

Dave Roberts spent much of spring training thinking about how to manage the health of his two-time defending World Series champion Dodgers so they can play for the long haul once a...

MARCH 19 • Associated Press

Makes second spring start Kelly (back) allowed two runs on five hits over 2.2 innings in Wednesday's spring start against the Cubs.

Impact Kelly made his second spring start and threw 36 pitches, the same number he delivered in his Cactus League debut last Friday. He indicated over the weekend that he expects to open the season on the injured list and judging by his pitch count, Kelly appears headed for some sort of delay, whether that be on the IL or being skipped in the first turn of the rotation.

MARCH 19 • ROTOWIRE

Expects IL stint Kelly (back) said Friday that he expects to be on the injured list to open the regular season, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Impact Kelly spoke about his chances of making the Opening Day roster following his Cactus League debut Friday. "I won't go into depth on what the tentative plan is right now, but yeah, as of right now, not very good," the pitcher said. That's the bad news; the good news is that Kelly's back held up over 1.2 innings (36 pitches), which was the priority of the day. Players placed on the IL after spring training can be backdated three days, which means Kelly would miss the first 12 days of the regular season.

MARCH 14 • ROTOWIRE

Kelly solid in spring debut but expected to open season on IL SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Merrill Kelly's back held up well during his first Cactus League outing of the spring, but despite all going well, the Di...

MARCH 14 • MLB.COM

D-backs Reveal Date for Merrill Kelly's First Spring Start Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Merrill Kelly will make his first start of spring training this week against the Kansas City Royals on Fri...

MARCH 10 • SI.COM

Making Cactus League debut Friday Kelly (back) will make his Cactus League debut Friday against the Royals, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Impact 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.

MARCH 10 • ROTOWIRE

Kelly gets back into groove with 1st live BP bullpen session SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Merrill Kelly threw his first live batting practice session of the spring Sunday morning on a back field at Salt River...

MARCH 8 • MLB.COM

Set for another bullpen Kelly (back) threw a successful bullpen session Sunday and will throw another one this week before potentially pitching in a Cactus League game, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Impact 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 bullpen 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.

MARCH 8 • ROTOWIRE

D-backs optimistic Carroll, Kelly will begin season on Opening Day roster SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- The Diamondbacks got good news about a pair of high-profile players when outfielder Corbin Carroll and right-hander Mer...

MARCH 6 • MLB.COM

Set to throw live BP Kelly (back) is slated to throw live batting practice Sunday, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Impact 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.

MARCH 6 • ROTOWIRE

Feels fine after bullpen Kelly (back) threw a bullpen session Thursday and said he felt fine afterwards, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports.

Impact Kelly unleashed his entire arsenal during the session in which he threw 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 that Kelly could return to the mound at this point in spring training bodes well for his availability in time for the regular season.

MARCH 6 • ROTOWIRE

Padres Radio Host Takes Shot at Diamondbacks Pitcher for Spurning San Diego San Diego Padres radio host Darren Smith took a shot at Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Merrill Kelly for spurning the Friars in free agency. O...

MARCH 5 • SI.COM

Throwing bullpen session Thursday Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said Wednesday that Kelly (back) will throw a bullpen session Thursday, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

Impact 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.

MARCH 4 • ROTOWIRE

Throwing bullpen session Thursday Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said Wednesday that Kelly (back) will throw a bullpen session Thursday, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

MARCH 4 • ROTOWIRE

Former All-Star arm expected to step up for the D-backs with Merrill Kelly sidelined | Sporting News Can the $7.5 million arm live up to expectations?

MARCH 3 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

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