Diamondbacks open 4-game series at home against the Dodgers
The Arizona Diamondbacks start a four-game series at home against the Los Angeles Dodgers on ThursdayAPRIL 6, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
MERRILL KELLY #29 - PITCHER - ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS
5-1 W-L •
1.17 WHIP •
4.03 ERA
5-1 W-L
1.17 WHIP
4.03 ERA
Runs out of gas early Friday Kelly didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 2-1 win over the Dodgers, allowing three hits and four walks over 3.2 scoreless innings while striking out four.
Impact The right-hander lasted only 74 pitches in his first start of the season, tossing 42 of them for strikes with 12 swinging strikes, but rookie Drey Jameson took the baton in relief of Kelly and supplied four strong innings of his own to record the win. Considering Kelly threw over 200 innings last year for the first time, some early-season babying in 2023 is justified. The 34-year-old should be ready for a bigger workload in his next outing, which is likely to be a rematch with Los Angeles in Dodger Stadium on Thursday.
APRIL 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Dodgers begin season at home against the Diamondbacks
The Los Angeles Dodgers host the Arizona Diamondbacks in the season openerMARCH 31, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
What did players learn about MLB's new rules this spring?
Major League Baseball’s new rules package is set for its regular-season debut Thursday when all 30 teams play their first gameMARCH 29, 2023
What did players learn about MLB's new rules this spring?
Major League Baseball’s new rules package is set for its regular-season debut Thursday when all 30 teams play their first gameMARCH 29, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Ben Verlander on WBC title game between USA and Japan
World Baseball Classic reporter Ben Verlander previews USA and Japan matchup.MARCH 21, 2023
Ohtani, Japan rally in 9th, edge Mexico 6-5, reach WBC final
Shohei Ohtani sparked a ninth-inning rally with a leadoff double, and Munetaka Murakami hit a walk-off, two-run double to lift Japan over Mexico 6-5 and into the World Baseball Cla...MARCH 21, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Starting Wednesday for USA Kelly will start Wednesday against Colombia for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.
Impact It was originally reported Mikolas would start Wednesday's game, but instead it will be the Kelly on the bump in a must-win game for the United States. Nightengale suggests Mikolas now could be a bullpen option against Canada on Tuesday.
MARCH 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Adding new pitch Kelly is experimenting with a slider this spring, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.
Impact Kelly used the new pitch six times. Arizona manager Torey Lovullo believes Kelly's existing repertoire works but thinks the slider could be another option to get early-count outs or swing-and-miss strikes against right-handed hitters. "I think good pitchers and good players are always making adjustments. It was definitely something he brought into camp. He embraced it. We're going to watch him continue to work on it," the manager said. Kelly's existing arsenal consists of four-seam and two-seam fastballs, a curveball, a changeup and a cutter.
MARCH 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Makes spring debut before WBC Kelly allowed one run on two hits and two walks while striking out two over 2.1 innings in Friday's spring start against the Mariners.
Impact Kelly made his Cactus League debut and only start before heading off to the World Baseball Classic. He was scheduled to throw three innings or 45 pitches but was pulled after 34 pitches and 1.1 innings. This being spring training, he was allowed to come back in the third inning and retired Seattle's 2-3-4 hitters on 11 pitches. Kelly's coming off his best MLB season in 2022 as he limited walks and long balls, but at age 34, he could be due for age-related decline in 2023.
MARCH 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Kelly to face familiar foes as he gears up for Classic SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Four years ago, Merrill Kelly was in Major League camp for the first time. At 30, the right-hander was just trying to f...
FEBRUARY 22, 2023 • MLB.COM
Diamondbacks, Davies finalize $5 million, 1-year deal
The Arizona Diamondbacks and right-hander Zach Davies have finalized their $5 million, one-year contract that includes a mutual option for 2024JANUARY 5, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly to pitch for Team USA in World Baseball Classic Diamondbacks right-hander Merrill Kelly will pitch for Team USA in next spring’s World Baseball Classic.
OCTOBER 7, 2022 • AZCENTRAL.COM
Quality start in Milwaukee Kelly did not factor into the decision Wednesday, allowing one run on four hits and two walks over six innings in a 4-2 victory over the Brewers. He struck out seven.
Impact Kelly allowed only one extra-base hit in the form of a double from Victor Caratini and allowed his only run on an RBI groundout to tie the game in the fifth inning. The righty had struggled in the seven starts prior to this one, posting a 5.32 ERA over 44 innings. Still, it was a strong season for the 33-year-old, who finished with a 3.37 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 177:61 K:BB across 200.1 innings.
OCTOBER 6, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Diamondbacks bring 3-game losing streak into matchup against the Brewers
The Arizona Diamondbacks look to break their three-game skid with a victory over the Milwaukee BrewersOCTOBER 5, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Lauer pitches 6 no-hit innings as Brewers blank D-backs 3-0
Eric Lauer pitched six innings of no-hit ball before getting removed from the game in the Milwaukee Brewers ’ 3-0 victory over the Arizona DiamondbacksOCTOBER 5, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Hit hard Friday Kelly (13-8) allowed eight runs on nine hits and two walks while striking out two over 4.2 innings, taking the loss Friday versus the Giants.
Impact Evan Longoria took Kelly deep twice and Mike Yastrzemski added a home run and an RBI double, accounting for seven of the eight runs Kelly yielded. The eight runs allowed matched Kelly's season high from May 17 versus the Dodgers. Outings like this have been rare for the right-hander, who still has a 3.43 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 170:59 K:BB through 194.1 innings across 32 starts. He's projected for one more start in 2022, which would be in Milwaukee next week.
OCTOBER 1, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Longoria 2 HRs, 5 RBIs, Giants win 10 of 11, beat Dbacks
Evan Longoria homered twice and drove in five runs as the San Francisco Giants beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 10-4 for their 10th win in 11 gamesOCTOBER 1, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Giants take on the Diamondbacks on home winning streak
The San Francisco Giants, on a three-game home winning streak, host the Arizona DiamondbacksSEPTEMBER 30, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Shooting for 200 innings Kelly is expected to get two more starts over the final nine games of the season, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.
Impact Kelly fired seven innings Saturday, boosting his count to 189.2 for the season. He has a personal goal of reaching 200 innings, which was in jeopardy when manager Torey Lovullo went to a six-man rotation in September. However, following the game, Lovullo all but assured to reporters that Kelly would get that chance. That suggests Kelly's schedule will be Friday at San Francisco followed by the season finale at Milwaukee on Oct. 5.
SEPTEMBER 25, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Goes seven innings in win Kelly (13-7) earned the win during Saturday's 5-2 victory over San Francisco, allowing two runs on four hits and one walk with six strikeouts in seven innings.
Impact Kelly surrendered one run in the fourth inning to fall behind, but Arizona responded with all five runs in the bottom of the frame to halt his losing streak at two games. The 33-year-old fired 65 of 93 pitches for strikes with 13 of the swinging variety en route to notching six strikeouts for the third straight start and eighth time in his last nine turns. Kelly's ERA has risen from 2.86 to 3.13 during the stretch though he's recorded 59 strikeouts in 57.1 innings compared to 8 K/9 on the season.
SEPTEMBER 25, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Kelly stymies Giants, closes in on 'pretty big milestone' PHOENIX -- Numbers aren't usually important to Merrill Kelly. The D-backs right-hander prefers to focus on whether he gave his team a chance...
SEPTEMBER 25, 2022 • MLB.COM
Diamondbacks pitcher Merrill Kelly fills void that starting rotation missed Diamondbacks pitcher Merrill Kelly ought's to reach 200 innings this season to secure himself as a starting pitcher. Kelly had a dominant ou...
SEPTEMBER 25, 2022 • AZCENTRAL.COM
Kelly stops Giants again, Diamondbacks win 5-2
Arizona right-hander Merrill Kelly kept up his mastery of the San Francisco Giants this season, pitching the Diamondbacks to a 5-2 winSEPTEMBER 25, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Giants bring 7-game road win streak into game against the Diamondbacks
The San Francisco Giants hit the road against the Arizona Diamondbacks trying to continue a seven-game road winning streakSEPTEMBER 24, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
