IAN KENNEDY NEWS

Comes off IL The Diamondbacks reinstated Kennedy (calf) from the 15-day injured list Wednesday.

Impact Arizona designated starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel for assignment to clear room on the active roster for Kennedy, who spent the minimum amount of time on the shelf due to right calf inflammation. Now that he's healthy again, Kennedy should represent the top threat to poach saves from Mark Melancon, who has converted 13 of his 15 save chances to date but owns poor overall ratios (5.12 ERA, 1.55 WHIP, 9.2 K-BB%) for the season.

JULY 21, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Will return Friday Kennedy (calf) will be activated off the injured list when the season resumes Friday at home against Washington, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

Impact Kennedy will rejoin the Diamondbacks after allowing three runs on five hits while striking out two over one inning Saturday in Arizona Complex League action. He's expected to resume a role as the primary setup man.

JULY 18, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Slated for rehab appearance Kennedy (calf) is scheduled to begin a rehabilitation stint Saturday in the Arizona Complex League, Nice Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

Impact Kennedy landed on the injured list earlier this month when an MRI confirmed a blood clot in his right calf. He was subsequently given a blood-thinning medication, and a recent imaging procedure indicated the clot had resolved itself. Arizona's primary setup reliever, Kennedy is expected to return following the All-Star break.

JULY 16, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Diamondbacks place Ian Kennedy on injured list with calf injury Ian Kennedy, the Diamondbacks' set-up man, was removed from Sunday's game after facing just one batter with discomfort in his right calf.

JULY 4, 2022 • AZCENTRAL.COM

Heads to injured list Kennedy was placed on the 15-day injured list Monday with right calf inflammation.

Impact It was thought that Kennedy was dealing only with cramping in his leg, but it turns out he is dealing with an injury that will sideline him at least through the All-Star break. Mark Melancon will be the favorite to close if the Diamondbacks find themselves needing to protect a late lead during Kennedy's absence.

JULY 4, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Believed to be managing cramps Kennedy thinks that he's dealing with a leg cramp after exiting Sunday's game against the Rockies, Jody Jackson of Bally Sports Arizona reports.

Impact Kennedy said that he felt his leg grab on three pitches Sunday, and he was ultimately removed from the game by a trainer. The right-hander is hopeful that he's simply dealing with a cramp stemming from the altitude in Colorado, but he'll be further evaluated Monday.

JULY 3, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Exits with trainer Kennedy exited Sunday's game against the Rockies in the bottom of the eighth inning due to an apparent right knee injury, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

Impact Kennedy forced a flyout to begin the bottom of the eighth inning, but he was visited by a trainer who appeared to be looking at his right knee. While the nature and severity of the issue aren't yet clear, the right-hander was replaced by Noe Ramirez following the visit by the trainer.

JULY 3, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Alfaro gets winning hit, Padres beat Diamondbacks 3-2 in 11

Jorge Alfaro singled home the winning run with one out in the 11th inning to give the San Diego Padres a 3-2 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks

JUNE 22, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

D-Backs' Ian Kennedy hopes new splitter can balance out his repertoire Diamondbacks reliever Ian Kennedy hopes his new splitter can ease his reliance on his fastball.

JUNE 18, 2022 • AZCENTRAL.COM

Melancon still closer Kennedy saved Thursday's game, but Mark Melancon remains Arizona's closer, the Arizona Republic reports.

Impact Melancon asked to get some work in because he hadn't pitched since last Saturday. With Arizona on the road and trailing 3-1 heading into the eighth inning, there was no guarantee anybody would be pitching for the Diamondbacks in the ninth, so manager Torey Lovullo brought in Melancon. After Arizona plated four runs in the top of the ninth and grabbed a two-run lead, Kennedy was summoned to close out the game. There is no change in Arizona's closing situation.

JUNE 10, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Serves as closer Kennedy allowed a solo home run but earned the save Thursday against the Reds.

Impact Kennedy entered the game in the ninth inning and was tasked with protecting a two-run lead. He allowed a home run with two outs, but still successfully nailed down his fourth save of the season. It's unclear if Kennedy has completely overtaken Mark Melancon for the closer role, but it appears as if he is in line to earn at least some additional saves moving forward.

JUNE 10, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Rojas, Diamondbacks rally for 4 runs in 9th, beat Reds 5-4

Josh Rojas hit a go-ahead single during a four-run rally in the ninth inning and the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Cincinnati Reds 5-4, earning a split in the four-game series

JUNE 9, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Blows lead, takes loss Kennedy (3-3) lost Sunday's decision to the Cubs, allowing two runs on three hits and failing to get an out in a 5-4 loss.

Impact Kennedy was called on to protect a one run lead, but the Cubs launched a pair of solo home runs off him. He entered the contest having allowed just one run over the previous 11 innings, but this could be a case where an outing like this was waiting to happen. Kennedy had allowed 18 hits and nine walks over 18.1 innings prior to Sunday's outing. Plus, his batted-ball data suggested opponents should be doing better against him. The reliever is bottom seven percent in average exit velocity, bottom 10 percent in hard-hit rate, bottom 12 percent in expected batting average and bottom 12 percent in chase rate.

MAY 23, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Snags win Kennedy (3-2) allowed one hit and struck out one over a scoreless ninth inning to earn the win over the Cubs on Saturday.

Impact Kennedy preserved a 4-4 tie, getting the game into the 10th inning, and Arizona plated three in the top half of the frame. Mark Melancon held on for the save, giving Kennedy the win. After a shaky start, Kennedy has held up well in a high-leverage role with a 0.87 ERA over his last 11 outings. That includes three saves while filling in at closer while Melancon was unavailable.

MAY 22, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Falters in ninth Kennedy (2-2) was credited with Sunday's loss, allowing one run on two hits while striking out one over two-thirds of an inning against the Cubs.

Impact Kennedy entered a tied game in the top of the ninth -- manager Torey Lovullo said after the game that closer Mark Melancon was not available after pitching three of the last four days, per Jose M. Romero of the Arizona Republic. The manager has not been shy to use Melancon in tied games, but the pitcher suffered a couple of meltdowns last week when pitching in such a situation. Additionally, Lovullo said the team is still discussing Melancon's continued use as the closer. Should there be any change, Kennedy is the likely replacement.

MAY 16, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Picks up Perdomo Kennedy walked two and struck out one over a scoreless eighth inning and picked up the hold in Friday's 4-3 win over the Cubs.

Impact Kennedy nearly escaped with a clean inning on six pitches, but a two-out error by shortstop Geraldo Perdomo extended the frame. After a pair of walks, Kennedy shut the door with the bases loaded. It was the seventh consecutive scoreless outing for Kennedy.

MAY 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Notches third save Kennedy allowed one hit during a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save during Wednesday's 8-7 win at Miami. He had zero strikeouts and zero walks.

Impact The Diamondbacks rallied for two runs in the top of the ninth inning to take a one-run lead, and Kennedy was called upon for the save with Mark Melancon (illness) still on the COVID-19 IL. Kennedy gave up a one-out single but still retired the side with relative ease on 12 pitches. The veteran right-hander has converted saves in three straight appearances with Melancon out, while Joe Mantiply has one save in that stretch. Kennedy figures to move back to a setup role within the next few days when Melancon returns, but it appears he's the favorite for save chances should Melancon land on the injured list again later in the season.

MAY 4, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Secures another save Kennedy allowed one hit and issued one walk in a scoreless inning Monday while earning a save over the Marlins.

Impact Kennedy found himself with a pair of runners on base and two outs but escaped the jam to finish off the 5-4 win. He's now earned a save in two straight appearances and he's allowed just one run over his last six frames. The veteran righty will move back to a setup role once Mark Melancon (undisclosed) returns to action.

MAY 3, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Likely not available Sunday Kennedy is unlikely to pitch Sunday after appearing in four of the last five games, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

Impact Kennedy has two wins, a save and closed out a win during that four-game stretch, and manager Torey Lovullo acknowledged the 32-year-old right-hander was tired while saving Saturday's win over St. Louis. He's filling in at closer while Mark Melancon (undisclosed) is unavailable. If a closer is needed Sunday, there is not a clear candidate, so matchups would most likely dictate Lovullo's late-game deployment of relievers.

MAY 1, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Picks up first save Kennedy earned his first save of the season Saturday against St. Louis, striking out one while allowing one walk in a scoreless ninth inning.

Impact First-choice closer Mark Melancon hit the COVID-19 injured list Friday, and it looks like Kennedy is the top choice for save chances until Melancon returns. Kennedy issued a leadoff walk to Paul Goldschmidt but retired the next three batters in order to pick up his 57th career save.

MAY 1, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Closes out win Kennedy struck out one over a scoreless ninth inning in Friday's 6-2 win over St. Louis.

Impact Kennedy shut the door on the Cardinals with a 1-2-3 inning in what had been a save situation until the Diamondbacks made it a four-run game in the eighth. With closer Mark Melancon on the COVID-19-related injury list, Kennedy was warming in the eighth before his mates negated the potential save. This was the right-hander's first clean inning over his last six appearances.

APRIL 30, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Works out of jam, wins Kennedy (1-1) allowed one hit and an intentional walk while striking out one over a scoreless eighth inning to pick up the win over the Dodgers on Tuesday.

Impact Kennedy replaced Joe Mantiply, who allowed a single to Freddie Freeman to open the frame, then ran into his own trouble. After an out and a double, he walked Max Muncy before inducing a double-play grounder. Kennedy has allowed five hits, a home run, four walks and three runs over his last four outings, but he's earned three holds and win.

APRIL 27, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Matchups dictate use Kennedy allowed one hit and struck out two over a scoreless eighth inning in Saturday's 5-2 win over the Mets.

Impact Kennedy held the lead in the eighth before Joe Mantiply finished off the Mets for his first save. With closer Mark Melancon unavailable after appearing in the previous two games, it would be nature to assume Kennedy would gobble up any save chance, but that was not the case. Per Steve Gilbert of MLB.com, matchups determined bullpen roles Saturday. Kennedy faced the heart of New York's order, while the left-handed Mantiply entered for the ninth against three scheduled lefty batters.

APRIL 24, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Navigates eventful eighth Kennedy allowed an unearned run, walked two and struck out one over one inning to pick up a hold in Thursday's 4-3 win over the Nationals.

Impact He entered with the mission of shepherding a 4-2 eighth-inning lead to closer Mark Melancon, but Kennedy ran into trouble, although not much of it was his own doing. An error by third baseman Yonny Hernandez, an intentional walk, and a catcher interference ruling produced a run before Kennedy quelled the uprising to record his second hold.

APRIL 22, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Makes game tense Kennedy allowed two runs on two hits and one walk in Saturday's 3-2 win over the Mets.

Impact Kennedy was the reliever of choice for the eighth inning of a 3-0 game, but he made the save much more precarious for closer Mark Melancon. The 37-year-old setup man gave up a two-run home run to Starling Marte, then walked Francisco Lindor before inducing a double-play groundout. It was the second time in four outings that Kennedy has allowed multiple runs.

APRIL 17, 2022 • ROTOWIRE