Rangers' Ian Kennedy: Makes another scoreless appearance
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Kennedy allowed one walk over a scoreless sixth inning in Saturday's spring game against the Angels.
This was the fifth straight scoreless appearance for Kennedy, a non-roster invitee who has allowed two hits and a walk while striking out four during the scoreless stretch. "He's experienced and he's gotten better as spring has gone on, which is usually the case with those guys," Texas manager Bruce Bochy said. "He knows what he's doing out there." Kennedy has recent history as a closer, including a stint with the Rangers in 2021, but it's unlikely he rises to that level if added to the Opening Day roster.
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Rangers' Ian Kennedy: Signs with Texas
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Kennedy signed a deal with the Rangers on Thursday, he announced on his personal Instagram account.
Kennedy struggled mightily in 2022 and posted a 5.36 ERA and 1.57 WHIP across 50.1 innings. As a result, his $4 million option was declined by Arizona, though he'll look to bounce back with the Rangers -- a team he had plenty of success with in 2021. Kennedy has picked up double-digit saves in three of the last four seasons, though he'll likely enter the campaign behind at least Jose Leclerc for the closer role.
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Ian Kennedy: Becomes free agent
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The Diamondbacks declined to pick up Kennedy's $4 million mutual option Tuesday, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.
Kennedy got hit around quite a bit last season, recording a 5.36 ERA and 1.57 WHIP over 50.1 innings out of the bullpen, so it's not much of a surprise to see Arizona let him walk. Kennedy will turn 38 in December, so the possibility of retirement is certainly on the table.
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Diamondbacks' Ian Kennedy: Pounded in blowout loss
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Kennedy allowed four runs on five hits in two-thirds of an inning in Friday's 12-3 loss to the Padres.
Kennedy entered a low-leverage situation with the Diamondbacks trailing 7-1 and allowed runs for a fourth consecutive outing. He was removed from being the sole closer after blowing two saves last week and has allowed seven runs on seven hits without striking out a batter in two appearances since.
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Diamondbacks' Ian Kennedy: Fluid closer situation
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Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said the team's closer situation is "fluid," after Kennedy blew two consecutive save opportunities, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.
Kennedy gave up two runs in the ninth inning of a 6-5 loss to the Padres on Tuesday after allowing a game-tying home run in ninth against Milwaukee on Saturday. The manager would not commit to using Kennedy if a save chance arose Wednesday (one did not). "It's a fluid situation right now," Lovullo said. "We're still talking through that. My job is to help this team win baseball games and I'm going to make the best decision moving forward to help us do that." Lovullo has other veteran options to close games, but Mark Melancon (9.95 ERA last eight games) and Joe Mantiply (12.71 ERA last eight games) have both struggled the last few weeks.
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Diamondbacks' Ian Kennedy: Takes another blown save
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Kennedy (4-7) allowed two runs on two hits and two walks in two-thirds of an inning, taking the loss and a blown save versus the Padres on Tuesday.
Kennedy was tasked with protecting a one-run lead in this contest. He walked the first batter, then got two outs before allowing three straight baserunners. The last was a Jorge Alfaro two-run single to walk it off for the Padres, sending Kennedy to his second straight blown save. The 37-year-old right-hander has picked up some save chances with Mark Melancon out of the closer role, but Kennedy's now posted a 4.26 ERA over 12.2 innings since the start of August. This was his sixth blown save of the year to go with 10 saves, 11 holds, a 3.60 ERA and a 1.36 WHIP through 45 innings.
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Diamondbacks' Ian Kennedy: Blows save Saturday
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Kennedy was tagged with a blown save against Milwaukee on Saturday as a result of giving up one run on one hit in one inning.
Kennedy was summoned to protect a one-run lead in the ninth inning, but he served up a game-tying solo homer to Rowdy Tellez. The long ball marked the first run Kennedy has given up over five appearances since Aug. 16. Kennedy has converted 10 of 15 save chances this season while Mark Melancon is 17-for-20 in such opportunities.
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Diamondbacks' Ian Kennedy: Earns 10th save
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Kennedy allowed a hit and no walks while striking out one in a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save during Friday's win over the Brewers.
The Diamondbacks haven't had many save situations over the last few weeks since they've had some high-scoring matchups, but Kennedy was called upon during Friday's low-scoring game, and he picked up his 10th save of the year. The right-hander was charged with a blown save after giving up two runs in two-thirds of an inning against the Giants on Aug. 16, but he's tossed 3.1 scoreless innings over four appearances since then. Both Kennedy and Mark Melancon should remain in the mix for save chances over the final month of the regular season.
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Diamondbacks' Ian Kennedy: Surrenders walkoff homer
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Kennedy (4-6) was handed the loss and blown save during Tuesday's 2-1 defeat at the hands of the Giants, allowing two runs on two hits in two-thirds of an inning.
Kennedy was brought in to pitch the ninth inning of a 1-0 game and recorded two outs before surrendering a triple and Brandon Crawford walkoff home run to take his second loss this month. The 37-year-old had been operating as manager Torey Lovullo's preferred closer of late, though that has the potential to change after two losses in his last five appearances. Kennedy sports a 3.38 ERA and 1.28 WHIP with 36 strikeouts in 40 innings across 44 appearances.
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Diamondbacks' Ian Kennedy: Secures eighth save
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Kennedy saved Sunday's 7-4 win against the Rockies, walking one while recording one strikeout in the ninth inning.
Pitching for the second time in two days, Kennedy was brought in for the ninth inning of a three-run game and was forced to work harder than expected after an error on a potentially game-ending double play brought the tying run to the plate. The 37-year-old proceeded to induce a deep C.J. Cron lineout and struck out Elehuris Montero to close out the victory. Kennedy has now converted four saves this month and lowered his ERA to 2.97 with the successful appearance.
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Diamondbacks' Ian Kennedy: Not quite full-time closer
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Arizona manager Torey Lovullo stopped short of labeling Kennedy the team's closer, but he'll be a "starting point" for the manager when considering which reliever gets a save opportunity, Theo Mackie of the Arizona Republic reports. "I don't want to say that Ian is the full-time closer," Lovullo said. "But it'll always be a starting point for me when he's available and it's good matchups."
Lovullo didn't mention Mark Melancon, but he remains in the mix on days when Kennedy isn't available and right-handed hitters are due up. Against lefties, the manager said he would consider Joe Mantiply to close.
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Diamondbacks' Ian Kennedy: Secures seventh save
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Kennedy struck out one batter and issued a walk while earning a save with a scoreless inning during Monday's win over Pittsburgh.
Kennedy worked around a one-out walk to Tucupita Marcano and didn't have much issue finishing off the 3-0 win. The veteran righty has converted three straight save chances and has allowed just one run in 7.2 innings since blowing his last opportunity July 24. He's now sporting a 3.13 ERA with a 35:15 K:BB through 41 appearances. He seems to have passed Mark Melancon in the pecking order for saves, though we'll see if the Diamondbacks continue a committee approach or settle on Kennedy as the clear guy.
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Diamondbacks' Ian Kennedy: Logs sixth save
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Kennedy saved Friday's 6-5 win against the Rockies, striking out one in a perfect ninth inning.
Kennedy's services were needed once Arizona took the lead in the bottom of the eighth inning, and he navigated the heart of Colorado's lineup on just eight pitches. The 37-year-old has notched consecutive saves and appears to be manager Torey Lovullo's preferred option to finish games right now. Kennedy sports a 3.06 ERA and 1.27 WHIP with 33 strikeouts in 35.1 innings and six saves across 39 appearances.
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Diamondbacks' Ian Kennedy: Could get saves
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Kennedy could be next up for saves as the Diamondbacks shift to a closer-by-committee approach, Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic reports.
The veteran righty has a 2.25 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, 17 strikeouts, one win and two saves in 16 innings since May 24. Mark Melancon, who entered the year as the closer, is 3-10 with a 4.66 ERA on the season. Joe Mantiply and Kyle Nelson are potential challengers to Kennedy in the ninth inning.
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Diamondbacks' Ian Kennedy: Earns fifth save
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Kennedy picked up the save Tuesday in Cleveland, striking out the side in the ninth inning of a 6-3 victory.
Kennedy made quick work of the final three spots in Cleveland's lineup, needing 14 pitches to punch out all three batters. It was his fifth save of the season and first since June 9. Mark Melancon took the loss Sunday and Monday and may have just been given a day of rest, leading to Kennedy's save chance. That said, given Melancon's recent struggles and 4.66 ERA for the season, it wouldn't be surprising to see Kennedy receive a few more save opportunities over the last two months.
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Diamondbacks' Ian Kennedy: Goes five outs for win
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Kennedy (4-4) threw 1.2 scoreless innings to pick up the win over San Francisco on Tuesday.
Starter Tyler Gilbert left with a lead after four innings, which doesn't qualify for a win, and Kennedy was deemed the most effective Arizona reliever. He's pitched in three of the five games played since being activated off the injured list, allowing one run on one hit and one walk while striking out two over 3.2 innings during that run. With the trade deadline approaching, Arizona is expected to trade the 38-year-old Kennedy, who had 26 saves in 2021 and 30 in 2019; however, he'll likely remain in a setup role wherever he lands.
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Diamondbacks' Ian Kennedy: Comes off IL
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The Diamondbacks reinstated Kennedy (calf) from the 15-day injured list Wednesday.
Arizona designated starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel for assignment to clear room on the active roster for Kennedy, who spent the minimum amount of time on the shelf due to right calf inflammation. Now that he's healthy again, Kennedy should represent the top threat to poach saves from Mark Melancon, who has converted 13 of his 15 save chances to date but owns poor overall ratios (5.12 ERA, 1.55 WHIP, 9.2 K-BB%) for the season.
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Diamondbacks' Ian Kennedy: Will return Friday
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Kennedy (calf) will be activated off the injured list when the season resumes Friday at home against Washington, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.
Kennedy will rejoin the Diamondbacks after allowing three runs on five hits while striking out two over one inning Saturday in Arizona Complex League action. He's expected to resume a role as the primary setup man.
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Diamondbacks' Ian Kennedy: Slated for rehab appearance
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Kennedy (calf) is scheduled to begin a rehabilitation stint Saturday in the Arizona Complex League, Nice Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.
Kennedy landed on the injured list earlier this month when an MRI confirmed a blood clot in his right calf. He was subsequently given a blood-thinning medication, and a recent imaging procedure indicated the clot had resolved itself. The setup man is expected to return following the All-Star break.
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Diamondbacks' Ian Kennedy: Heads to injured list
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Kennedy was placed on the 15-day injured list Monday with right calf inflammation.
It was thought that Kennedy was dealing only with cramping in his leg, but it turns out he's dealing with a blood clot in the calf which requires blood thinners, according to Jody Jackson of Bally Sports Arizona. Kennedy's spot as a setup man for closer Mark Melancon will be filled by a variety of relievers, including righty J.B. Wendelken and lefties Joe Mantiply and Kyle Nelson.
