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Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly: Season debut set for Tuesday
Rotowire
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: Needs another rehab start
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Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo announced Sunday that Kelly (back) will make one more rehab start before joining the big-league rotation, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.
The veteran right-hander will be eligible to be reinstated from the injured list Wednesday, but he'll instead make a second rehab start before being cleared for his season debut with Arizona. Kelly threw 72 pitches across five scoreless frames during his first rehab outing with Triple-A Reno on Friday and should continue building up his workload in his next start. He currently lines up to make his 2026 debut during the Diamondbacks' upcoming series in Baltimore, which runs from April 13 through 15.
Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said Saturday that a decision whether to activate Kelly (back) when eligible will be announced Sunday, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports. The right-hander can be activated April 8.
Kelly is fresh off a 72-pitch outing at Triple-Reno on Friday and responded well the following day. His activation would force an adjustment to the existing five-man rotation. The Diamondbacks could move a current starter with relief experience to the bullpen -- Michael Soroka or Ryne Nelson -- or option Brandon Pfaadt to the minors.
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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.
Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly: Slated for rehab start
Rotowire
Kelly (back) is scheduled to start for Triple-A Reno on Friday, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports.
The plan for Kelly, fresh off a 35-pitch bullpen session Tuesday, is to get as close to or into the 70s with his pitch count Friday. This could be the only rehab start he makes before rejoining the Diamondbacks. Kelly was placed on the 15-day injured list retroactive to March 24, which means he could be activated as early as next Wednesday, April 8.
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Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly: Officially moved to IL
Rotowire
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.
Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly: Rehab schedule mapped out
Rotowire
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
Rotowire
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
Rotowire
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.
Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly: Makes second spring start
Rotowire
Kelly (back) allowed two runs on five hits over 2.2 innings in Wednesday's spring start against the Cubs.
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.
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Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly: Expects IL stint
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Kelly (back) said Friday that he expects to be on the injured list to open the regular season, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.
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. Stints on the IL can be backdated three days, which means Kelly would miss at least the first 12 days of the regular season. He would be eligible for activation in time for April 7 against the Mets.
Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly: Making Cactus League debut Friday
Rotowire
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.
Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly: Set for another bullpen
Rotowire
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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