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

Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said ahead of Wednesday's game against the division-rival Los Angeles Dodgers that starting pitcher Merrill Kelly (shoulder) is throwing out to 120 feet in his throwing program, and he thinks the hurler will throw on flat ground on Saturday. Recovering from a strained right shoulder, Kelly is making progress in his recovery but will need to resume throwing off a mound before taking a more significant step forward in his progression. It's not yet known if the D-backs will send Kelly out on a minor-league rehab assignment before he re-enters Arizona's rotation, but given that he's been on the shelf for over two months at this point, it's likely he won't jump right back into the major leagues when he's cleared for game action. The 35-year-old veteran right-hander logged a 2.19 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, and 21:6 K:BB over 24 2/3 innings (four starts) before getting injured and is worth stashing in all fantasy leagues.

Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Merrill Kelly (shoulder) is hoping to return from the 60-day injured list to the starting rotation in the middle of August after suffering a right-shoulder strain during a between-starts throwing session in late April. Kelly has been rehabbing at the team's spring training complex and is throwing out to 75 feet. It's the first time in his 15-year career that he's dealt with a soft-tissue injury, and he thinks the strain was due to the "heavy load the last two years." Kelly will turn 36 years old in October but needs to be held in most fantasy leagues after he went 2-0 with a strong 2.19 ERA and 0.93 WHIP with 21 strikeouts in 24 2/3 innings in his first four starts before his shoulder injury. The next big step in Kelly's slow rehab will be to get back on the mound and resume throwing bullpen sessions.

Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Merrill Kelly (shoulder) will begin his throwing progression on Tuesday, according to manager Torey Lovullo. Kelly's last start with the Diamondbacks came back on April 15 against the Chicago Cubs before he was diagnosed with a right-shoulder strain. He has obviously been on a slow rehab program but is taking the next step by starting a throwing program this week. The 35-year-old veteran is going to eventually need to progress to throwing bullpen sessions before a required minor-league rehab assignment. Only after making at least several rehab starts will the D-backs consider bringing Kelly back from the injured list to rejoin the rotation. Kelly was looking good in four starts before his injury, going 2-0 with a 2.19 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 21 strikeouts in 24 2/3 innings. Keep Kelly stashed in fantasy formats.