April 25, 2025
Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander
Merrill Kelly (leg) has been cleared to toe the rubber on Saturday against the visiting Atlanta Braves at Chase Field. Cramping in Kelly's right leg caused him to be lifted in the sixth inning of his last start on Easter Sunday in Chicago against the Cubs, but he's been cleared to take his next turn through the D-backs' starting rotation this weekend in a plus matchup against a struggling Braves offense. The 36-year-old veteran pitcher allowed a whopping nine earned runs in 3 2/3 innings of work in his second start of the year on April 3 at the New York Yankees, but since that rough outing, he's bounced back nicely. He has allowed four earned runs while walking four and fanning 18 in 17 2/3 innings in his last three starts and will look to keep that going on Saturday. Fantasy managers should reinsert Kelly into their starting lineups this weekend.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
April 3, 2025
Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher
Merrill Kelly got hit hard by the Yankees in a 7-9 loss on Thursday, allowing nine runs on nine hits and three walks in 3 ⅔ innings. It hasn't been a great start to 2025 for the veteran, who has looked shaky in both outings so far. In his first start of the season, he held the Cubs to one run, but issued four walks compared to only one strikeout. He'll look to get things going in his next start, tentatively scheduled to be against the Orioles.
--Jeremy Heist - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
November 3, 2024
The Arizona Diamondbacks exercised their 2025 club option on starting pitcher
Merrill Kelly, according to Jon Heyman of the NY Post. The 36-year-old made only 13 starts this season after sitting out for an extended period with a shoulder injury. He logged 73 2/3 innings of work with a 4.03 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, and a 19:63 BB:K ratio. Under the hood, he carried a poor 4.93 xERA and .266 xBA, which were among the worst marks among qualified pitchers. In addition, he posted a below-average 40.9% hard-hit rate and a 10.7% barrel rate. Fantasy managers should expect the right-hander to remain in the Arizona rotation through the entire 2025 season and be a stable low-end starter to target late in drafts.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Jon Heyman
September 14, 2024
Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said that right-hander
Merrill Kelly (hamstring) is expected to make his next start after leaving his last outing on Wednesday against the Texas Rangers with hamstring cramping. Kelly's next start will be either on Monday or Tuesday at Coors Field against the division-rival Colorado Rockies, depending on how Kelly feels. "We're going to see it through Merrill's eyes. He's fine today, he should be fine tomorrow. If he continues to be fine every day, we will make a decision if it's going to be Monday or Tuesday," Lovullo said on Friday. Coors Field isn't an ideal location to pitch after an injury scare, but the 35-year-old Kelly will be close to a must-start in that one just based on the opponent. Kelly has been inconsistent in his six starts since returning from a long IL stint on Aug. 11, posting a 5.85 ERA with 23 K's, 10 walks and seven homers allowed in 32 1/3 innings.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Arizona Sports
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