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Arizona • #29 • SP

Merrill Kelly

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Recent Games

date ip
Innings Pitched
w
Wins
l
Losses
era
Earned Run Average
FPTS
Fantasy Points
Apr 15, 2024 5.0 2 0 2.19 11.5
Apr 9, 2024 6.0 2 0 2.29 19
Apr 3, 2024 7.0 1 0 1.98 18
Mar 29, 2024 6.2 1 0 1.35 30
Full Game Log

Schedule

Regular season
@
PHI
Fri, Jun 21
W 5-4
@
PHI
Sat, Jun 22
L 12-1
@
PHI
Sun, Jun 23
L 4-1
vs
MIN
Tue, Jun 25
W 5-4
vs
MIN
Wed, Jun 26
L 8-3
vs
MIN
MIN 11, ARI 1 - 4th
MLBN
vs
OAK
Fri, Jun 28
9:40 pm
vs
OAK
Sat, Jun 29
4:10 pm
vs
OAK
Sun, Jun 30
4:10 pm
@
LAD
Tue, Jul 2
10:10 pm
ESP+
Full Schedule

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Player Outlook
Merrill Kelly's ratios were nearly equivalent to his breakthrough 2022 season, but he took a different path to get there. Last season, Kelly fanned a career best 25.9 percent of batters he faced, but he also walked them at a 9.6 percent clip, the highest mark of his career. However, the 16.3 percent K-BB% was his best in a full season. Kelly didn't change his pitch mix much, other than throwing a slider a bit and it was effective. His changeup was offering chiefly driving the increase in strikeouts. Despite posting strong ratios in 2022, Kelly wasn't trusted since he didn't miss many bats. Fast forward a year and Kelly is no longer a secret after fanning well more than a batter an inning and enjoying a strong playoff run. He's likely going to be drafted around 100 picks earlier this season, which puts him in risky territory, since that assumes Kelly continues to punch out hitters at the same rate. Don't shy away from Kelly, but don't expect a repeat of last season's newfound dominance.

Fantasy Stats

Year fpts
Fantasy Points
fpts/g
Fantasy Points per Game
ip
Innings Pitched
w
Wins
l
Losses
sv
Saves
so
Strikeouts
bb
Base on Balls (Walk)
era
Earned Run Average
whip
Walks and Hits Allowed Per Inning
2024 78.519.6 24.7 2 — — 21 6 2.19 0.93
2023 443.514.8 177.7 12 8 — 187 69 3.29 1.19
2022 489.514.8 200.3 13 8 — 177 61 3.37 1.14
3y Avg. 404.513.5 178.7 11 9 — 165 57 3.68 1.20
Full Career Stats
Projections Powered by
Fantasy Performance by Week
82%
Roster
2%
Start
#78
SP Rank

Fantasy News

  • Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly: Targeting mid-August return

    Rotowire
    Kelly (shoulder) said Friday that he's eyeing the Diamondbacks' mid-August road trip as a target for his return from the 60-day injured list, Jake Oliver of SI.com reports. "Originally we thought it was kind of All-Star break but with how the progression lines up, it's probably a little bit later than that," Kelly said, when asked about his return timeline. "In my mind, I'm hoping I'm on that Tampa, Miami, and Boston trip. I've wanted to go on that trip all year and that seems to be around the right time that I'm back in there but obviously, things can change as we go along." The three-city road trip that Kelly alluded to begins Aug. 16 in Tampa and wraps up Aug. 25, so the right-hander has shifted his focus toward returning roughly a month after the All-Star break. Placed on the IL on April 23 with a right shoulder strain, Kelly has had a slow recovery thus far from what he said is the first soft-tissue injury he's dealt with during his 15-year professional career. On a positive note, Kelly reiterated that he's continuing to throw, but he remains limited to playing catch off flat ground from 75 feet and hasn't stepped back on the mound since landing on the shelf. With Kelly suggesting that his return is still likely another two months away, fantasy managers in redraft leagues with limited IL spots who have been stashing him during his prolonged absence may be best served cutting bait at this point.
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  • Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly: Likely out through All-Star break

    Rotowire
    Kelly (shoulder) is expected to be held out through the All-Star break, Jack Sommers of SI.com reports Saturday. Manager Torey Lovullo noted that Kelly hasn't thrown beyond 75 feet yet and is being brought along slowly. The 35-year-old has been sidelined since late April and didn't start a throwing program until June 4. If he does end up sitting through the All-Star break, Kelly wouldn't be back until July 19 at the earliest.
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  • Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly: Taking next step in rehab

    Rotowire
    Kelly (shoulder) will begin his throwing program Tuesday, Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic reports. This is the next expected step for Kelly as he makes his way back from a right shoulder strain. His recovery has been moving along smoothly to this point, but the right-hander could take some time to gain clearance for mound work.
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  • Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly: Nearing throwing program

    Rotowire
    Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said Tuesday that Kelly (shoulder) is expected to begin a throwing program next week, Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic reports. The right-hander has apparently been progressing well in his recovery from a right shoulder strain and is now on the cusp of resuming baseball work. Kelly will require some time to build his arm up before progressing to mound work and eventually a rehab assignment, so he shouldn't be expected to rejoin the Diamondbacks until sometime in July.
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  • Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly: MRI shows healing

    Rotowire
    Kelly (shoulder) underwent an MRI earlier this week, and it showed significant healing, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports. The results are encouraging, but the team will have multiple doctors review the images to be sure. Kelly was placed on the 15-day injured list April 23, two days after being scratched from a start, and then he was transferred to the 60-day IL on May 2.
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  • Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly: Scheduled for MRI

    Rotowire
    Manager Torey Lovullo said Wednesday that Kelly will undergo an MRI later this week to see how his strained right shoulder is progressing, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports. Kelly's shoulder has kept him out of action since April 23, though he may be able to begin a throwing program in the near future if his MRI results come back clean. If the 35-year-old righty is cleared to begin throwing, a more defined return timeline may emerge, although he isn't eligible to return to Arizona's rotation until June 22.
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  • Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly: Moved to 60-day IL

    Rotowire
    The Diamondbacks transferred Kelly (shoulder) to the 60-day injured list Thursday. Kelly was placed on the 15-day IL on April 23 after sustaining a teres major strain in his right shoulder. Due to his transfer to the 60-day IL, Kelly will be on the shelf until at least late June, and his rehab progress over the next few weeks could determine whether the right-hander will need more time beyond that window. Kelly started the season with a 2-0 record, 2.19 ERA and 0.93 WHIP over 24.2 innings through four starts.
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  • Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly: Likely headed for IL

    Rotowire
    Kelly (shoulder) is expected to require a stint on the 15-day injured list, Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic reports. The D-Backs were initially hopeful that Kelly would be able to avoid a 15-day shutdown, but skipper Torey Lovullo stated after Monday's matchup that the right-hander is "most likely" headed to the IL to rehab from a shoulder strain. Arizona will likely wait until Tuesday to make the move official.
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  • Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly: Tending to shoulder strain

    Rotowire
    Kelly disclosed Sunday that he was diagnosed with a teres major strain of his right shoulder following his initial MRI and is on track to receive another MRI on Monday in Phoenix, ESPN.com reports. Kelly had been scheduled to start Sunday's series finale in San Francisco, but he was scratched after experiencing discomfort while playing catch Saturday before the MRI confirmed that he was dealing with a shoulder strain. More information on the severity of the strain could be available after Monday's MRI, but for the time being, the Diamondbacks are holding out hope that the right-hander will avoid a trip to the 15-day injured list. Slade Cecconi was called up from Triple-A Reno to start in Sunday's 5-3 win and will likely be in store for additional turns through the rotation if Kelly is shut down for any length of time.
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  • Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly: Won't start Sunday

    Rotowire
    Kelly (undisclosed) was scratched from Sunday's game against the Giants, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports. Kelly was set to make his fifth start of the season Sunday. It's unclear why Kelly was scratched, though Piecoro speculates that its due to an injury. Kelly has gone 2-0 over his first four starts of the year, posting a 2.19 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 21:6 K:BB over 24.2 innings. In Kelly's place, Slade Cecconi, who was called up from Triple-A Reno on Sunday, will get the start.
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  • Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly: Earns second win

    Rotowire
    Kelly (2-0) got the win over the Rockies on Tuesday, allowing two runs on six hits and three walks in six innings. He struck out four. Five of the six hits allowed by Kelly went for singles, as he was able to keep the damage against him to a minimum in a ballpark where baseballs tend to travel far. It was his first outing of the year with multiple walks, but he now has three quality starts in as many tries to open 2024 and owns a 2.29 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 16:4 K:BB in 19.2 innings. He tentatively lines up for a start against the Cubs his next time out.
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  • Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly: Solid over seven frames

    Rotowire
    Kelly did not factor into the decision Wednesday, allowing two runs on five hits and one walk over seven innings in a 6-5 loss to the Yankees. He struck out four. Kelly allowed the leadoff runner to reach base in three of his first four innings of work and it finally cost him in the fourth when Aaron Judge jumped on a hanging sinker and sent it into the stands, giving the Yankees a 2-1 lead. The right-hander recovered nicely, however, surrendering just two singles and a walk from that point on as the Diamondbacks fell to New York in the series finale. Kelly has now logged back-to-back quality starts to open the season, posting a 12:1 K:BB over that early stretch.
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  • Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly: Features changeup in second start

    Rotowire
    Kelly allowed two runs on five hits and struck out four over three innings in Wednesday's spring start against the Rockies. Kelly emptied the entire arsenal of pitches Wednesday, throwing 47 overall. He worked on his changeup leading up to his second Cactus League start, after featuring a developing slider the first time out. "I've thrown my changeup for a long time now, it's kind of been the pitch that I've gone to when I needed something," Kelly told Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports. "The slider is obviously something that I want to make more consistent and more into a usable pitch, so the emphasis coming into spring was on the slider and sometimes when you do that the feel for the rest of the pitches kind of isn't as sharp." Kelly will get two more starts to work up to 75-80 pitches before the regular season opens.
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  • Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly: Scheduled for spring debut

    Rotowire
    Kelly is expected to make his spring debut March 8 against the Cubs, Jack Magruder of MLB.com reports. Kelly is set to open the regular season as the No. 2 starter behind Zac Gallen. Including the 2023 postseason, Kelly threw 201.2 innings, marking the second straight year the right-hander crossed the 200-inning threshold. As such, manager Torey Lovullo plans a measured buildup during the Cactus League season. "[We're] really trying to limit the overall innings. We're not trying to empty the tank so quickly," the manager said. Kelly was 12-8 with a 3.29 ERA and 1.19 WHIP over 30 regular season starts last year.
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  • Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly: Serves up four runs in loss

    Rotowire
    Kelly took the loss in Tuesday's 10-0 defeat to the Phillies in Game 2 of the NLCS, allowing four runs on three hits and three walks over 5.2 innings. He struck out six. Kelly stumbled in this outing after coming off a clean start against the Dodgers in the NLDS. His biggest dilemma was limiting the long ball, as he gave up three separate solo home runs, two of which came off the bat of Kyle Schwarber in the third and sixth innings. The right-hander may have been a bit unlucky given he managed to mostly keep the traffic off the basepaths aside from the big mistakes. Kelly has pitched to a 3.00 ERA and 0.92 WHIP with 11 strikeouts across 12 innings this postseason.
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  • Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly: Starting Game 2 of NLCS

    Rotowire
    Kelly will start Game 2 of the NLCS on Tuesday against Philadelphia, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports. Kelly was dominant in his postseason debut against the Dodgers, throwing 6.1 scoreless frames while striking out five batters and walking two. He'll follow Game 1 starter Zac Gallen in the D-backs' rotation and look to contain a surging Phillies offense that posted a .938 OPS in the NLDS.
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  • Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly: Named Game 1 starter

    Rotowire
    The Diamondbacks named Kelly as their starter for Game 1 of Arizona's NLDS matchup against the Dodgers on Saturday. Kelly will be fully rested for Saturday after not having to pitch during the D-backs' two-game sweep of the Brewers. Kelly was dominant in his final three starts of the regular season, allowing just four runs over 18.2 innings. However, Kelly gave up seven runs in five innings during his last matchup against the Dodgers on Aug. 29.
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  • Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly: Takes hard-luck loss

    Rotowire
    Kelly (12-8) allowed one run on five hits and two walks while striking out five over seven innings to take the loss Saturday versus the Astros. Kelly pitched well, but the RBI double he surrendered to Jose Abreu in the fourth inning was the lone run for either team. The Diamondbacks had chances with five hits and six walks but couldn't even the score. Kelly concludes the regular season with a 3.29 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 187:69 K:BB through 177.2 innings over 30 starts. He should be a part of Arizona's wild-card round rotation.
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  • Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly: Sharp in 12th win

    Rotowire
    Kelly (12-7) picked up the win in Wednesday's 7-1 victory over the Giants, allowing one run on three hits and three walks over 6.2 innings. He struck out five. A solo homer by LaMonte Wade in the first inning was the only blemish on Kelly's line as he delivered his sixth quality start in 10 outings since the beginning of August. The 34-year-old right-hander has a 3.62 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 68:24 K:BB through 59.2 innings over that stretch, helping Arizona stay ahead of the pack in the battle for a wild-card spot in the NL. Kelly figures to make what will be his last start of the regular season early next week on the road against the White Sox.
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  • Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly: Struggles against Dodgers

    Rotowire
    Kelly (10-6) allowed seven runs on 12 hits and three walks while striking out one over five innings, taking the loss Tuesday versus the Dodgers. Kelly exited his previous start with a hamstring cramp but suffered no further restrictions. His exit Tuesday appears to be solely based on poor performance, though he was able to complete five frames for the 23rd start in a row, the lone exception in 2023 being his season debut. The right-hander is now at a 3.31 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 147:52 K:BB through 141.1 innings this season. He's projected for a more favorable home start versus the Rockies early next week.
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