JANUARY 27, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM
Levi Weaver: Per his Instagram, Ian Kennedy is returning to... - The Athletic Per his Instagram, Ian Kennedy is returning to the Rangers in 2023. He pitched in Texas in 2021 before being traded to the Phillies in the S...
Pollock declines $13M option with White Sox, goes free
Outfielder AJ Pollock declined his $13 million player option with the Chicago White Sox and was among 10 players who became free agents, raising the total to 161NOVEMBER 9, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Becomes free agent The Diamondbacks declined to pick up Kennedy's $4 million mutual option Tuesday, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.
Impact Kennedy got hit around quite a bit last season, recording a 5.36 ERA and 1.57 WHIP over 50.1 innings out of the bullpen, so it's not much of a surprise to see Arizona let him walk. Kennedy will turn 38 in December, so the possibility of retirement is certainly on the table.
NOVEMBER 8, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Altuve homers twice as Astros rout Diamondbacks 10-2
Jose Altuve hit two of Houston’s five home runs to lead the Astros to a 10-2 victory over Arizona on Tuesday night in a game where Yordan Alvarez left with an ankle injurySEPTEMBER 28, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Hammered in blowout loss Kennedy allowed four runs on five hits in two-thirds of an inning in Friday's 12-3 loss to the Padres.
Impact Kennedy entered a low-leverage situation with the Diamondbacks trailing 7-1 and allowed runs for a fourth consecutive outing. He was removed from being the sole closer after blowing two saves last week and has allowed seven runs on seven hits without striking out a batter in two appearances since.
SEPTEMBER 17, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Alfaro's 2-run single in 9th rallies Padres past Dbacks, 6-5
Jorge Alfaro hit a two-run, bases-loaded single with two outs in the ninth inning to lift the San Diego Padres to a wild 6-5 comeback victory against the Arizona DiamondbacksSEPTEMBER 7, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Taylor hits 2-run homer in 10th, Brewers beat Dbacks 8-6
Tyrone Taylor hit a two-run homer in the 10th inning after pinch-hitter Rowdy Tellez’s tying solo shot in the ninth, lifting the Milwaukee Brewers to an 8-6 win over the Arizona Di...SEPTEMBER 4, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Rivera has 3 hits, bullpen shines, D-backs beat Brewers 2-1
Emmanuel Rivera had three hits, Jake McCarthy added the go-ahead RBI single and the Arizona Diamondbacks edged the Milwaukee Brewers 2-1SEPTEMBER 3, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Kelly stays strong, but D-backs stung in 9th SAN FRANCISCO -- Merrill Kelly was dominant for seven innings, Joe Mantiply worked a scoreless eighth and closer Ian Kennedy was on th...
AUGUST 17, 2022 • MLB.COM
Surrenders walkoff homer Kennedy (4-6) was handed the loss and blown save during Tuesday's 2-1 defeat at the hands of the Giants, allowing two runs on two hits in two-thirds of an inning.
Impact Kennedy was brought in to pitch the ninth inning of a 1-0 game and recorded two outs before surrendering a triple and Brandon Crawford walkoff home run to suffer his second loss this month. The 37-year-old had been operating as manager Torey Lovullo's preferred closer of late, though that has the potential to change after two losses in his last five appearances. Kennedy sports a 3.38 ERA and 1.28 WHIP with 36 strikeouts in 40 innings across 44 appearances.
AUGUST 17, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Crawford's HR with 2 outs in 9th lifts Giants past D-backs
Brandon Crawford hit a game-ending two-run homer off Ian Kennedy moments after Thairo Estrada’s two-out triple, and the San Francisco Giants rallied past the Arizona Diamondbacks 2...AUGUST 17, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Secures eighth save Kennedy saved Sunday's 7-4 win against the Rockies, walking one while recording one strikeout in the ninth inning.
Impact Pitching for the second time in two days, Kennedy was brought in for the ninth inning of a three-run game and was forced to work harder than expected after an error on a potentially game-ending double play brought the tying run to the plate. The 37-year-old proceeded to induce a deep C.J. Cron lineout and struck out Elehuris Montero to close out the victory. Kennedy has now converted four saves this month and lowered his ERA to 2.97 with the successful appearance.
AUGUST 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Walker 4 hits, 4 RBIs, powers Diamondbacks past Rockies 7-4
Christian Walker had four hits, including a 460-foot homer, and drove in four runs, leading rookie Tommy Henry and the Arizona Diamondbacks over the Colorado Rockies 7-4AUGUST 14, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Not quite full-time closer Arizona manager Torey Lovullo stopped short of labeling Kennedy the team's closer, but he'll be a "starting point" for the manager when considering which reliever gets a save oppor...
Impact Lovullo didn't mention Mark Melancon, but he remains in the mix on days when Kennedy isn't available and right-handed hitters are due up. Against lefties, the manager said he would consider Joe Mantiply to close.
AUGUST 12, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Secures seventh save Kennedy struck out one batter and issued a walk while earning a save with a scoreless inning during Monday's win over Pittsburgh.
Impact Kennedy worked around a one-out walk to Tucupita Marcano and didn't have much issue finishing off the 3-0 win. The veteran righty has converted three straight save chances and has allowed just one run in 7.2 innings since blowing his last opportunity July 24. He's now sporting a 3.13 ERA with a 35:15 K:BB through 41 appearances. He seems to have passed Mark Melancon in the pecking order for saves, though we'll see if the Diamondbacks continue a committee approach or settle on Kennedy as the clear guy.
AUGUST 9, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Gallen's pitching, Marte's hit lift D-backs over Pirates 3-0
Zac Gallen pitched seven dominant innings, Ketel Marte had a crucial two-out, two-RBI single in the eighth and the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 3-0AUGUST 9, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Handed fifth loss Kennedy (4-5) took the loss during Saturday's 3-2 defeat at the hands of the Rockies, allowing one run on one hit with one strikeout in one inning.
Impact Manager Torey Lovullo turned to the right-hander to pitch the ninth inning of a tie game and Kennedy surrendered a one-out Ryan McMahon solo home run to fall in line for the loss. The 37-year-old tossed eight pitches during Friday's save but was still able to fire 13 of 18 pitches for strikes Saturday. Kennedy had fired 5.2 scoreless innings prior to Saturday's hiccup and still features a solid 3.22 ERA across 36.1 innings this season. He's expected to feature as part of Arizona's closer committee after Mark Melancon was removed from the role.
AUGUST 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
McMahon's 9th-inning homer lifts Rockies over D-backs 3-2
Ryan McMahon hit a tiebreaking homer in the ninth, Antonio Senzatela threw seven quality innings and the Colorado Rockies rallied for a 3-2 win over the Arizona DiamondbacksAUGUST 7, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Logs sixth save Kennedy saved Friday's 6-5 win against the Rockies, striking out one in a perfect ninth inning.
Impact Kennedy's services were necessitated once Arizona took the lead in the bottom of the eighth inning and navigated the heart of Colorado's lineup on just eight pitches. The 37-year-old has notched consecutive saves and appears to be manger Torey Lovullo's preferred option to finish games. Kennedy sports a 3.06 ERA and 1.27 WHIP with 33 strikeouts in 35.1 innings across 39 appearances.
AUGUST 6, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Perdomo's bat, stellar defense lift D-backs over Rockies 6-5
Geraldo Perdomo hit a two-out, two-run single in the eighth inning, then made a terrific diving snag on a grounder in the ninth to preserve the lead, lifting the Arizona Diamondbac...AUGUST 6, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Could get saves Kennedy could be next up for saves as the Diamondbacks will go with a closer-by-committee approach going forward, Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic reports.
Impact The veteran righty has a 2.25 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, 17 strikeouts, one win and two saves in 16 innings since May 24. Mark Melancon, who entered the year as the closer, is 3-10 with a 4.66 ERA on the season. Joe Mantiply and Kyle Nelson are potential challengers to Kennedy in the ninth inning.
AUGUST 5, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Earns fifth save Kennedy picked up the save Tuesday in Cleveland, striking out the side in the ninth inning of a 6-3 victory.
Impact Kennedy made quick work of the final three spots in Cleveland's lineup, needing 14 pitches to punch out all three batters. It was his fifth save of the season and first since June 9. Mark Melancon took the loss Sunday and Monday and may have just been given a day of rest, leading to Kennedy's save chance. That said, given Melancon's recent struggles and 4.66 ERA for the season, it wouldn't be surprising to see Kennedy receive a few more save opportunities over the last two months.
AUGUST 3, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Rosario's hit in 11th give Guardians 6-5 win over Arizona
Amed Rosario homered early and hit an RBI single in the 11th inning to give the Cleveland Guardians a 6-5 win over the Arizona DiamondbacksAUGUST 2, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Goes five outs for win Kennedy (4-4) threw 1.2 scoreless innings to pick up the win over San Francisco on Tuesday.
Impact Starter Tyler Gilbert left with a lead after four innings, which doesn't qualify for a win, and Kennedy was deemed the most effective Arizona reliever. He's pitched in three of the five games played since being activated off the injured list, allowing one run on one hit and one walk while striking out two over 3.2 innings during that run. With the trade dealing approaching, Arizona is expected to trade the 38-year-old Kennedy, who had 26 saves in 2021 and 30 in 2019, but he'll likely remain in a setup role wherever he lands.
JULY 27, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Dbacks drop Giants below .500 for first time this year
Christian Walker hit a three-run homer off a frustrated Carlos Rodón and the Arizona Diamondbacks handed the San Francisco Giants their sixth straight loss, 7-3JULY 27, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
