Merrill Kelly's Stats, Metrics, Game Logs, Projections & Rankings

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.