MERRILL KELLY NEWS

Knocked around in loss Kelly (7-10) suffered the loss against the Dodgers on Wednesday, pitching 4.2 innings and allowing four runs on 10 hits and two walks while striking out one.

Impact Kelly missed over a month after testing positive for COVID-19, yet he handled close to a normal workload (82 pitches) against Los Angeles. The right-hander wasn't sharp, however, giving up double-digit hits for the second time this season while fanning only one batter and notching just four swinging strikes. Things could have been worse for Kelly -- the Dodgers had runners on second and third when he departed in the fifth frame, but Sean Poppen managed to secure the final out to prevent either runner from scoring. Kelly should be able to handle a full workload in his next start, which is likely to come at home versus Atlanta early next week.

SEPTEMBER 16, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Urías wins MLB-leading 18th, Dodgers beat D-backs 5-3

Julio Urías earned his major league-leading 18th victory, Gavin Lux singled in the go-ahead run in the fourth, and the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks 5-3

SEPTEMBER 16, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Zach Buchanan: Merrill Kelly is activated from the COVID-19... - The Athletic Merrill Kelly is activated from the COVID-19 injured list and will start tonight, but left-hander Tyler Gilbert hits the IL with "elbow fati...

SEPTEMBER 15, 2021 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Activated for Wednesday's start Kelly (illness) was activated from the COVID-19 injured list ahead of his start against the Dodgers on Wednesday.

Impact Kelly has spent the past month on the injured list after testing positive for COVID-19, but he'll rejoin the rotation Wednesday after making one rehab start. The right-hander threw 66 pitches in that outing and figures to have some minor workload limitations in his first start back.

SEPTEMBER 15, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Will start Wednesday Kelly (illness) is scheduled to return from the COVID-19 injured list to start Wednesday's series finale with the Dodgers, MLB.com reports.

Impact Kelly has been building toward a return over the last week, and manager Torey Lovullo made it official late Tuesday. The right-hander will be making his first start since Aug. 11, and he could approach 80-to-90 pitches in the outing.

SEPTEMBER 15, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

In mix for Wednesday's start Kelly (illness) could be available to start Wednesday against the Dodgers, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

Impact Kelly completed a 39-pitch bullpen session> in Los Angeles on Monday, and manager Torey Lovullo acknowledged the right-hander was "entering into that conversation" to start Wednesday night. Kelly, who recently logged four innings and 66 pitches in an Arizona Complex League game, could approach 80-90 pitches if reinstated Wednesday.

SEPTEMBER 14, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Kershaw strikes out 5 in return, Dodgers beat D-backs 5-1

Clayton Kershaw struck out five in his first start since July 3 and the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 5-1 for their seventh straight home win

SEPTEMBER 14, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Diamondbacks' Tyler Clippard returns from injured list; Merrill Kelly inches closer Diamondbacks right-hander Tyler Clippard was reinstated from the injured list on Monday and right-hander Merrill Kelly is nearing a return o...

SEPTEMBER 14, 2021 • AZCENTRAL.COM

Kershaw expected to start for Los Angeles against Arizona

The Dodgers will roll out Clayton Kershaw to the mound Monday and the Diamondbacks will give Zac Gallen the start

SEPTEMBER 13, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Bullpen scheduled for Monday Kelly (illness) will throw a bullpen session Monday before the Diamondbacks decide on his next steps, MLB.com reports.

Impact The right-hander worked his pitch count to 66 in a rehab start last Thursday, which could set him up for a shortened start in the majors as soon as Wednesday if Monday's bullpen session goes according to plan. Kelly has been on the COVID-19 injured list since Aug. 14 after testing positive for the virus.

SEPTEMBER 12, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Kikuchi expected to start for the Mariners against the Diamondbacks

The Mariners will send Yusei Kikuchi to the mound Sunday and the Diamondbacks will give Tyler Gilbert the start

SEPTEMBER 12, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Throws four innings Kelly (illness) threw four innings and 66 pitches in a rehab start with the Diamondbacks' rookie-level Arizona Complex League affiliate Thursday, MLB.com reports.

Impact Kelly has now had three separate outings since coming out of isolation due to COVID-19 protocols. Before Thursday's rehab start, Kelly completed a 23-pitch bullpen session and a 51-pitch start in an intrasquad game. Arizona manager Torey Lovullo hasn't ruled out Kelly's next start coming in the majors; the right-hander would presumably slot into the Diamondbacks rotation as soon as Tuesday in Los Angeles versus the Dodgers.

SEPTEMBER 11, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Flexen expected to start for Seattle against Arizona

The Mariners will send Chris Flexen to the mound Saturday and the Diamondbacks plan to give Humberto Castellanos the start

SEPTEMBER 11, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Mariners inch closer in wild-card chase, top D'backs 5-4

Tom Murphy hit a two-run home run in the second inning and added a solo shot in the sixth, and the Seattle Mariners beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 5-4 for their eighth win in 11 gam...

SEPTEMBER 11, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Arihara scheduled to start for Texas against Arizona

The Rangers will start Kohei Arihara on Wednesday while the Diamondbacks are expected to counter with Luke Weaver

SEPTEMBER 8, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Gallen expected to start as Arizona hosts Texas

The Rangers will start Spencer Howard on Tuesday while the Diamondbacks are expected to counter with Zac Gallen

SEPTEMBER 7, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Gilbert scheduled to start as Arizona hosts Seattle

The Mariners will start Chris Flexen on Sunday and the Diamondbacks are expected to counter with Tyler Gilbert

SEPTEMBER 5, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Throws intrasquad game Kelly (illness) threw 51 pitches in an intrasquad game Friday.

Impact Kelly is working his way back after testing positive for COVID-19 on Aug. 14. The right-hander's next step will be a start Sept. 8 at Arizona's training complex, putting him in line for a return sometime during the series in Los Angeles against the Dodgers, beginning Sept. 13.

SEPTEMBER 4, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Seattle to visit Arizona Saturday

The Mariners will start Marco Gonzales on Saturday while the Diamondbacks have yet to announce who will get the start

SEPTEMBER 4, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Bumgarner expected to start for Arizona against Seattle

The Mariners will start Tyler Anderson on Friday and the Diamondbacks are expected to counter with Madison Bumgarner

SEPTEMBER 3, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Weaver expected to start as Arizona hosts San Diego

The Padres will start Yu Darvish on Wednesday while the Diamondbacks are expected to counter with Luke Weaver

SEPTEMBER 1, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Snell pulled after 7 no-hit innings, Padres beat D-backs 3-0

Blake Snell threw seven hitless innings before being pulled for a reliever, and San Diego lost its bid for a combined no-hitter in the eighth inning when Arizona’s David Peralta dr...

SEPTEMBER 1, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Gilbert expected to start as Arizona hosts San Diego

The Diamondbacks are expected to send Tyler Gilbert to the mound Monday and the Padres will give Chris Paddack the start

AUGUST 30, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Throws bullpen session Kelly (illness) threw a 23-pitch bullpen session Friday.

Impact Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said Kelly felt fine throughout the session, and the right-hander did not have any stamina issues. The plan is to build up his pitch count over the next week through bullpen sessions or simulated games. It's unclear if Kelly will go out on rehab or slip back into the Diamondbacks' rotation.

AUGUST 28, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Mejia expected to start for the Diamondbacks against Phillies

The Phillies are expected to send Kyle Gibson to the mound Saturday and the Diamondbacks plan to give Humberto Mejia the start

AUGUST 28, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS