Merrill Kelly Aiming For Mid-August Return

Merrill Kelly had a stellar 2.19 ERA over his first 4 begins of the season earlier than a teres main pressure in his throwing shoulder despatched him to the Diamondbacks’ injured record on April 20.  Kelly was quickly moved from the 15-day IL to the 60-day IL, and now that his 60-day window has handed, will probably be fairly some time earlier than the right-hander is again on the mound.

Talking at a Q&A occasion on Friday (hat tip to Arizona Sports), Kelly mentioned that “in my thoughts, I’m hoping I’m on that Tampa, Miami, Boston journey,” referring to a nine-game Diamondbacks street journey that begins on August 16.  “That appears to be round the correct time I may be again in there.  However clearly issues can change as we go alongside.”

There may be clearly nonetheless lots of fluidity inside this rehab plan, and the truth that Kelly’s preliminary estimated return date has already been considerably pushed again isn’t an ideal signal.  As Kelly famous, he and the staff first thought he could possibly be again across the All-Star break — if mid-August now represents maybe one thing of a best-case state of affairs, any type of setback may fairly presumably put his season in jeopardy.  There may be nonetheless an extended solution to go in Kelly’s ramp-up course of, as he solely simply began a throwing program with video games of catch.

The D’Backs have a modest 38-40 file within the protection of their Nationwide League pennant, but the NL’s parity has saved Arizona inside two video games of the final wild card spot.  Contemplating that the Snakes have been with out Kelly for a lot of the season, Eduardo Rodriguez for the complete season, and Zac Gallen for a little bit greater than three weeks, a 38-40 file isn’t a nasty consequence for a staff lacking its three prime starters.

Gallen could potentially return subsequent week, and Rodriguez has began his personal throwing development after his lengthy layoff, so he may be dealing with the same timeline as Kelly.  If Arizona can proceed to not less than tread water within the playoff race till mid-August, getting Kelly and Rodriguez again into the rotation would offer an infinite enhance down the stretch.

Kelly additionally mentioned his longer-term profession future as a part of the Q&A, saying “I don’t need to go anyplace.  [Arizona] is dwelling for me, I need to be right here so long as I can.”  Kelly additionally revealed that he had spoken with the Diamondbacks a couple of doable contract extension, although didn’t give any particulars on the standing of these talks or if the D’Backs had proven any reciprocal curiosity.

It will be comprehensible if the D’Backs first wished to see how Kelly emerge from this lengthy damage layoff earlier than contemplating a brand new contract, plus Kelly is already beneath staff management for the 2025 season by way of a $7MM membership possibility.  Since a $1MM buyout is hooked up to that possibility, that the $6MM resolution looks as if a reasonably straightforward one for the Diamondbacks to make even regardless of Kelly’s shoulder issues, contemplating how properly he has pitched over his six seasons in Arizona.

Kelly didn’t make his MLB debut till he was 30 years outdated, as he began his professional profession within the Rays’ farm system earlier than pitching in South Korea for 4 seasons.  Impressed by Kelly’s KBO League efficiency, the D’Backs signed him to a two-year, $5.5MM free agent deal in December 2018, in a call that may go down as considered one of GM Mike Hazen’s shrewdest strikes.  Kelly has already signed one extension with the Diamondbacks, agreeing to his present two-year, $18MM contract in April 2022.