Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Merrill Kelly notched a quality start in his team's 2-1 win over the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday. Kelly tossed seven shutout innings of one-hit ball while striking out eight and walking one to earn the win. The veteran improved his record to 6-2, to go along with a 3.43 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, and 72 strikeouts over 76 innings of work. Kelly will look to stay hot in his next start, which is scheduled to come on Tuesday against the Seattle Mariners. He will be worth keeping active in fantasy starting lineups for that upcoming start.

Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Merrill Kelly earned the win in a 1-0 win over the Rockies on Sunday, striking out 11 over seven scoreless innings. He allowed one hit and walked three. Kelly has been very solid this season, as he hasn't given up more than three runs in a start since he gave up nine in his first start of the year on April 3. His ERA is now down to an excellent 3.26 with 52 strikeouts and 15 walks in 58 innings. The spike in strikeouts in this start is likely due to Colorado's poor offense more than anything else, but Kelly will look to carry this momentum into his next start, which lines up against the Cardinals.

Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Merrill Kelly (4-2) allowed eight hits and one earned run over seven innings in his team's 2-1 win over the San Francisco Giants. The 36-year-old struck out eight and walked none in the quality start, picking up his fourth win in 2025. He was fairly efficient, tossing 68 of 103 pitches for strikes and inducing 12 whiffs (nine on his changeup) for a solid 29% CSW. The lone extra-base hit against him came in the bottom of the fifth when Giants' shortstop Willy Adames doubled to lead off the inning and was driven home three batters later by a Christian Koss single. Kelly's underlying metrics aren't too aesthetically pleasing, but he's allowed two or fewer runs in seven of nine starts and more than three just once (nine). Furthermore, he's gone his last three outings sans issuing a free pass (18 1/3 innings). Kelly will look to build on Monday's outing in his next start on Sunday at home against the Colorado Rockies.

Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Merrill Kelly (hamstring) is listed as the team's probably pitcher for Wednesday's contest against the visiting New York Mets. Kelly was forced to leave his last start early on Friday against the Philadelphia Phillies due to more cramping in his right hamstring, but he's recovered nicely since and will be able to take his next turn in Arizona's starting rotation. However, in a tough matchup against the Mets, fantasy managers should be thinking twice about using Kelly after he's dealt with cramping in two of his last three appearances. Overall, the 36-year-old veteran has pitched well for Arizona and fantasy managers, though, going 3-1 with a 4.06 ERA and 1.06 WHIP with 27 punchouts and 12 walks in 37 2/3 innings over his seven starts. Kelly still managed to go five innings against the Phillies last week and allowed just one earned run for a no-decision.

Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Merrill Kelly is still dealing with cramping issues. The right-hander was removed from Friday's start due to cramping in his right hamstring. Kelly has dealt with this issue for several seasons. After the game, the 36-year-old said, "We've tried all kinds of things. We've done all kinds of labs, all kinds of hydration stuff. If I had a good answer for you guys, I'd stop cramping." Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status over the next few days in case the team decides to push his next scheduled start back. Through his first 37 2/3 innings of work this season, Kelly has posted a 4.06 ERA with a strong 1.06 WHIP. He has struck out just 27 batters. If he were to miss time, Ryne Nelson could be moved to the rotation, as he is currently deployed as a long relief option out of the bullpen.

Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Merrill Kelly (undisclosed) was unable to make it through his full start during Friday's game against the Philadelphia Phillies. The right-hander was pulled out of the contest ahead of the sixth inning. Kelly went to warm up for the inning, but reportedly experienced some cramping, so he exited with the trainer. Before that, Kelly was sharp as he allowed only one run across five innings of work. There should be another update on his status shortly. If he's fine, Kelly will make his next start against the New York Mets next week.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

Updating a previous report, Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Merrill Kelly (hamstring) was forced to exit early during Wednesday's start against the Texas Rangers. The right-hander was pulled in the fifth inning due to right-hamstring cramping. It sounds like a minor issue, and the team is hopeful that Kelly can make his next start against the Colorado Rockies. Before exiting, Kelly gave up three earned runs over just four innings of work. For now, fantasy managers should consider Kelly as day-to-day.

Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Merrill Kelly (undisclosed) was forced to leave his outing early on Wednesday at Chase Field against the Texas Rangers with a trainer in the fifth inning. The injury didn't appear to be arm-related for Kelly, but he has dealt with cramping issues in the past. We'll pass along any updates on Kelly's condition when they become available. Before leaving with a trainer, the 35-year-old veteran allowed three earned runs on four hits (one homer) while walking two and striking out three, so it clearly has not been a great day for him. As long as Kelly's exit wasn't actually arm-related, he could make his next scheduled start. Injuries have limited him to only 10 starts in 2024, and he entered his outing on Wednesday with a 4.08 ERA, a 1.23 WHIP and 41 strikeouts in 53 innings pitched. Losing Kelly for an extended period of time could make him unavailable for a potential postseason run.

Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Merrill Kelly looked like his old self on Thursday, going seven strong innings in a 3-2 loss to the San Francisco Giants. Kelly allowed just two runs on six hits and struck out eight while walking none. It is great to see a dominant performance like this from the veteran, as he has struggled since coming back in early August from a four-month IL stint. Kelly lines up to face Texas next week in Arizona, a middle-of-the-road matchup that will make him a tough call in standard sized leagues, but this outing makes that choice a little easier.

Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Merrill Kelly (shoulder) is officially set to return to the mound on Sunday afternoon to face the Philadelphia Phillies. Kelly has been sidelined since April 15 with a right shoulder strain. Prior to the injury, the 35-year-old held a strong 2.19 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, and a 6:21 BB:K ratio through 24 2/3 innings of work. Last summer, Kelly logged 177 2/3 innings to the tune of a 3.29 ERA and 1.19 WHIP. With Kelly returning, the Diamondbacks now have six starters in their rotation, which means one of them could enter a long relief role. Kelly is worth adding in all leagues as he should provide stable ratios along the way but he is worth fading in DFS in his first game back.

Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said that right-hander Merrill Kelly (shoulder) will "very likely" come off the injured list to start this Sunday in the series finale against the visiting Philadelphia Phillies. All signs have been pointing toward Kelly making his long-awaited return to the starting rotation in the desert this weekend after he was able to throw 62 pitches in four innings in a minor-league rehab start with High-A Hillsboro on Tuesday. The 35-year-old veteran has been out since late April with a teres major strain in his right shoulder. We wouldn't recommend using him in starting fantasy lineups in his first start back against one of the best offenses in baseball on Sunday, but Kelly needs to be rostered in all fantasy leagues. He was 2-0 with a 2.19 ERA and 0.93 WHIP with 21 K's in 24 2/3 innings in his first four starts before injuring his shoulder.

Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said on Thursday that starting pitcher Merrill Kelly (shoulder) will throw a bullpen session on Friday at Chase Field ahead of the series opener against the division-rival Philadelphia Phillies. It appears that Kelly's minor-league rehab assignment has concluded, and the hurler now lines up to potentially return from the injured list for Sunday's series finale against Philadelphia. He allowed three runs in four innings for the High-A Hillsboro Hops on Tuesday, throwing 62 pitches in the outing. The 35-year-old veteran right-hander has been on the injured list since April 23 due to a strained right shoulder, and although he belongs on all rosters in fantasy leagues for the stretch run, he'll carry a bit of risk in his first start back against the first-place Phillies. Over 24 2/3 innings (four starts) for the D-backs this season, Kelly holds a strong 2.19 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, and 21:6 K:BB.

Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Merrill Kelly (shoulder) made his minor-league rehab debut on Tuesday, allowing three runs in four innings for the High-A Hillsboro Hops. Kelly went in with a target of 65 pitches, and he was able to reach 62, so he should be relatively stretched out at this point. The 35-year-old veteran right-hander has been on the injured list since April 23 due to a strained right shoulder, but there's a chance that he'll be ready to make his next appearance with the D-backs and won't need to make another start in the minor leagues. Kelly holds a strong 2.19 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, and 21:6 K:BB over 24 2/3 innings (four starts) in the desert this season and belongs on all rosters in fantasy leagues.

Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Merrill Kelly (shoulder) will throw a three-inning simulated game on Wednesday. Kelly is getting close to making his return to Arizona's starting rotation after suffering a right-shoulder strain that has kept him out since late April. Barring a setback as he continues to stretch out his right arm, the 35-year-old veteran should be back in the desert by mid-August. Fantasy managers should grab Kelly off the waiver wire now if he's available, as he has the potential to be a high-end rotation arm when he's fully healthy. Before hurting his shoulder, he went 2-0 to begin the 2024 campaign with a strong 2.19 ERA and 0.93 WHIP with 21 strikeouts and just six walks in 24 2/3 frames over four starts. Kelly went 12-8 with a 3.29 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and a career-high 187 punchouts in his 30 starts for the Snakes a season ago.

Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Merrill Kelly (shoulder) is scheduled to throw another bullpen session on Tuesday, July 23. Kelly felt something grab in his right shoulder while playing catch in the outfield at Oracle Park on April 20 and landed on the injured list back on April 23. He threw a bullpen session on July 9 and a simulated two-inning bullpen and 32 pitches on July 12. If the 35-year-old veteran avoids a setback on Tuesday, he should be cleared to start facing live hitters before eventually going on a lengthy minor-league rehab assignment. While Kelly is running out of time in the second half of the season to help the D-backs rotation, he deserves to be stashed in all fantasy formats as a high-end starter when healthy. He allowed just six earned runs while striking out 21 and walking six in 24 2/3 innings over four starts early this season before straining his right shoulder.

Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said that right-hander Merrill Kelly (shoulder) and Eduardo Rodriguez (shoulder) will throw bullpen sessions on Saturday. They will probably each throw another bullpen after that before moving to the next step of facing hitters. "They're both feeling really, really good," Lovullo said. Although Kelly has made just four starts in 2024 due to a right-shoulder strain, he's the more attractive fantasy stash of the two injured D-backs hurlers. However, even without setbacks once he starts a minor-league rehab assignment, we might be looking at a late-August return for the 35-year-old veteran hurler. Rodriguez, 31, hasn't pitched at all for the Snakes this year after suffering a left-lat strain back in spring training. While E-Rod can be serviceable as a matchup-based streamer in deep-mixed leagues, his upside isn't as high as Kelly's.