The Arizona Diamondbacks faced a challenging start to Spring Training with injuries to key players, but recent developments indicate that outfielder Corbin Carroll and pitcher Merrill Kelly remain on track to contribute in the upcoming season. Carroll’s recovery following hand surgery and Kelly’s treatment for back soreness have provided renewed optimism for their availability on Opening Day.
Corbin Carroll’s Recovery Progress After Hand Surgery
Carroll underwent surgery on February 11 to repair a broken hamate bone in his right hand, an injury that typically sidelines players for four to eight weeks. Nearly three weeks after the procedure, Carroll described his healing process as “definitely ahead of schedule.” He has resumed baseball activities, including catching fly balls with his glove hand and starting to hit with both hands on the bat. These steps mark important milestones as he works back to full readiness.
“It’s very low intensity, like flips and tee [work]….I think some other guys that have gone through a hamate injury were happy to see where I am [given] how far I am out of surgery,”
Carroll said.
Torey Lovullo, the Diamondbacks’ manager, confirmed that Carroll is pushing hard to maximize his recovery within safe limits. He noted,
“right up to that line of doing too much. He’s pushing as hard as he can and as far as he can, and we love that. So we’ll continue to get updates from [hand surgeon] Don Sheridan and our medical team about what the next steps are, but yeah, he’s doing really, really well.”
Though Carroll’s ability to hit and catch without discomfort is critical, the next phase involves regaining playing readiness. He has remained active in other aspects of baseball, which should reduce his ramp-up time. Ultimately, how many Cactus League games Carroll can appear in before the March 26 start will determine his preparation level for the regular season.
Merrill Kelly’s Back Condition and Plans for Early Pitching Role
Merrill Kelly experienced back soreness last weekend, prompting his removal from a live batting practice session. Despite clean MRI and CT scan results, he was diagnosed with intercostal nerve irritation. Kelly initially anticipated beginning the season on the 15-day injured list, but his condition has improved following a cortisone and lidocaine injection.
Kelly reported a pain-free throwing session recently, signaling progress in his recovery. While he will not be the Diamondbacks’ Opening Day starter on March 26, the team aims to slot him into the back end of their rotation. This positioning could see Kelly making his season debut during Arizona’s second series.
The Diamondbacks’ season opens with three games in Los Angeles against the Dodgers, followed by a home stand featuring contests against the Tigers and Braves. With an off-day on March 29, there is flexibility in scheduling Kelly’s first start, but delaying too long would effectively leave the team one starter short in early games.
As of now, the plan is for Kelly to resume throwing and build up endurance in the weeks leading to Opening Day, with options including bullpen support or piggyback starts to ease his transition. Alternatively, he could begin on the injured list for extra healing time, ensuring he is fully prepared when taking the mound.
Implications for the Diamondbacks’ 2026 Season Start
These updates on Carroll and Kelly are significant for Arizona as they attempt to field a competitive roster amid ongoing injury concerns. Carroll’s accelerated healing and ability to engage in baseball activities bode well for the club’s outfield depth and offensive potential. Kelly’s willingness to progress despite soreness suggests the veteran right-hander could provide valuable innings shortly after the season’s start.
Maintaining flexibility with Kelly’s pitching role and carefully monitoring Carroll’s workload in Cactus League games will be crucial for the Diamondbacks to balance health and performance. Their ability to integrate both players effectively could bolster Arizona’s chances in a competitive National League West division.
. @Dbacks RHP Merrill Kelly said he received a shot of cortisone and lidocaine in his back last week. He played catch today without problem and is optimistic about being able to pitch at backend of rotation to start the season.
— Steve Gilbert (@SteveGilbertMLB) March 1, 2026
