Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Merrill Kelly was removed from a live batting practice session on Saturday after experiencing tightness in his mid-back. The 37-year-old right-hander, who recently secured a two-year, $40 million deal to stay with Arizona, is scheduled for an MRI on Sunday to assess the injury’s seriousness. Kelly had initially begun warming up but chose to stop as a precaution once discomfort intensified during his bullpen session, specifically around the tenth pitch.
Kelly described his ongoing discomfort, stating,
“We’ve been kind of just treating something, I guess in the mid back you can call it. Kind of changes throughout the days — different days feel differently. And then I went to go throw in the bullpen today, got to around pitch 10, started feeling little stuff and then the last two to three, the sensation was enough that I, being proactive, just felt like it was time to shut it down.”
?Merrill Kelly, Pitcher
The Return of a Veteran Pitcher to Arizona’s Rotation
This injury emerges at a crucial moment for both Kelly and the Diamondbacks. After being traded to the Texas Rangers at last year’s trade deadline, Kelly had expressed a strong desire to come back to Arizona. That wish came true when the team re-signed him in December, with plans for him to make his first Opening Day start in his career on March 26.
The setback has an added weight since Kelly had spent the last five years starting the team’s second game, but this year earned the Opening Day slot ahead of Zac Gallen, who recently re-signed despite a difficult, career-worst 2025 season. Prior to Saturday’s incident, Kelly hadn’t shown any signs of trouble and had been throwing normally for over ten days.
Concerns Grow Over the Diamondbacks’ Pitching Health
Kelly’s mid-back discomfort adds to Arizona’s mounting injury challenges within their pitching staff. The team has struggled with arm injuries, with five pitchers last year needing major surgeries such as Tommy John or internal brace procedures. Key players including ace Corbin Burnes and relievers A.J. Puk and Justin Martinez will miss the start of the 2026 season due to these operations, heightening the urgency for other pitchers to remain healthy.
Manager Torey Lovullo expressed cautious concern but remained hopeful about Kelly’s condition, noting,
“The concern is legitimate, but Merrill knows himself so well, and I just appreciate that he didn’t try to go full throttle and get to that next level if there’s anything wrong. So, for right now, I’m just going to say that [the concern is] minimal.”
?Torey Lovullo, Manager
Kelly himself retains a degree of optimism, recognizing that he had no problems performing routine activities in recent days. He commented,
“I don’t have a concern level [yet], Because we don’t know, at the end of the day, what it is. I mean, the last week and a half, I’ve been throwing, been doing everything normal, and it didn’t kind of rear its head until today.”
?Merrill Kelly, Pitcher
The pitcher’s decision to stop pitching as soon as discomfort became apparent highlights his experience and careful approach. By not pushing through the pain, Kelly aims to prevent what might be a minor issue from developing into something that could sideline him for a longer period.
Awaiting MRI Results and Their Impact on Arizona’s Season Plans
The MRI scheduled for Sunday will be crucial in determining the extent of Kelly’s back injury and his availability moving forward. The Diamondbacks view him as a pivotal member of their rotation for the upcoming 2026 campaign, making his health a priority for the organization.
Last year, Kelly posted solid numbers, finishing with a 12-9 record and a 3.52 ERA while splitting time between Arizona and Texas. Known for relying on precise pitch command and an effective changeup rather than high velocity, Kelly has been a consistent pitcher throughout his career.
With Opening Day still several weeks away, there is potential for Kelly to recover and fully prepare for the season. However, the Diamondbacks and their supporters are likely to remain attentive as updates on Kelly’s progress become available, hoping their veteran starter can overcome this early hurdle and contribute as expected.
