Merrill Kelly DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

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.