Fantasy News

• Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly: Fans five in no-decision

  Rotowire Apr 16, 2024

  Kelly yielded a run on three hits and two walks over five innings in a no-decision Monday against the Cubs. He struck out five. Aside from a solo homer he allowed to Michael Busch, Kelly turned in a standard solid outing. It was Kelly's shortest start of the year, but he's now allowed two or fewer runs in each of his first four appearances in 2024. The veteran righty also set a new season high by forcing 13 swinging strikes. He'll carry a 2.19 ERA into his next start, which is lined up to be in San Francisco this weekend.

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• Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly: Earns second win

  Rotowire Apr 10, 2024

  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 Apr 3, 2024

  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: Dominates in victory

  Rotowire Mar 30, 2024

  Kelly (1-0) struck out eight and allowed one run on three hits and no walks over 6.2 innings Friday in the Diamondbacks' 7-3 win over the Rockies. After coughing up three hits in the first two frames, including a solo shot by Elias Diaz, Kelly settled in to retire 15 straight Rockies. The right-hander forced 12 swinging strikes on 79 total pitches, with four whiffs each via the fastball and slider. The slider was a main focus during the offseason, and the pitcher threw it 14 times -- the second-most sliders he's thrown in a single game. "Definitely the biggest takeaway, I think, for me was the slider today," Kelly told Steve Gilbert of MLB.com. "The slider definitely jumped out as it seems like it's shown itself as a useful pitch." Kelly has been a consistent force for Arizona recently, registering a 3.33 ERA across 378 innings from 2022-2023, and he's off to an impressive beginning to the 2024 campaign. He's currently projected to take the mound at home against the Yankees next week.

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• Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly: Features changeup in second start

  Rotowire Mar 14, 2024

  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: Throws perfect two innings

  Rotowire Mar 8, 2024

  Kelly struck out three over two scoreless, no-hit innings in Friday's start against the Cubs. Kelly was making his first Cactus League appearance this spring. He's coming off a career-high 201.1 innings in 2023, including the postseason, so the Diamondbacks held him back for a bit to begin camp. The right-hander will get in at least another three spring outings, before he's expected to start the second game of the regular season, Mar. 29, at home against Colorado.

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• Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly: Scheduled for spring debut

  Rotowire Feb 21, 2024

  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: Will start Game 2 of World Series

  Rotowire Oct 26, 2023

  Kelly will start Game 2 of the World Series on Saturday against the Rangers, Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic reports. Zac Gallen will get the nod for the Diamondbacks in Game 1 on Friday and Brandon Pfaadt is lined up to handle Game 3 on Monday. Kelly recorded a huge win against the Phillies in Game 6 of the NLCS, tallying eight strikeouts across five innings of one-run ball. He carries an overall 2.65 ERA with 19 strikeouts through 17 innings (three starts) this postseason.

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• Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly: Serves up four runs in loss

  Rotowire Oct 18, 2023

  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 Oct 13, 2023

  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 Oct 5, 2023

  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 Oct 1, 2023

  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: Tosses five frames in no-decision

  Rotowire Sep 26, 2023

  Kelly allowed two runs on four hits and two walks while striking out five batters over five innings in a no-decision against the Yankees on Monday. Kelly got through three scoreless frames before Austin Wells tagged him for a two-run homer in the fourth. Those were the only runs Kelly surrendered, but he departed after five innings having thrown 96 pitches. The right-hander has tossed at least five frames in 28 straight starts after opening the campaign with a 3.2-inning outing against the Dodgers. Kelly is in line for one more start in the regular season, which is tentatively slated to come in Houston this weekend. It could be a huge game and series with both teams currently looking to get into the postseason.

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• Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly: Sharp in 12th win

  Rotowire Sep 20, 2023

  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: Tagged for seven runs

  Rotowire Sep 14, 2023

  Kelly (11-7) took the loss Thursday, allowing seven runs on six hits and four walks over five innings against the Mets. He struck out seven. Kelly set down the first six Mets in short order before walking the bases loaded to start the third inning, and he allowed two runs to score in the frame. The 34-year-old hurler surrendered five more runs in the fifth, headlined by Jeff McNeil's two-run homer. Kelly allowed just one run in each of his previous two outings; however, those starts are bookended by a pair of seven-run disasters. In those four starts since Aug. 29, the righty's season-long ERA has gone from an impressive 2.97 to a still-respectable 3.45. Kelly is currently slated to face the Giants at home next week.

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• Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly: Struggles against Dodgers

  Rotowire Aug 30, 2023

  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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• Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly: Cleared to start Tuesday

  Rotowire Aug 28, 2023

  Kelly (hamstring) is listed as the Diamondbacks' probable starting pitcher for Tuesday's game against the Dodgers in Los Angeles. Kelly will be able to return to the hill on his normal four days rest despite exiting his most recent start Thursday versus the Reds due to a right hamstring cramp. The hamstring issue didn't prevent Kelly from turning in his best start of the season, as he held the Reds scoreless over seven frames while permitting just one hit and tying his career high with 12 strikeouts. Kelly has been stellar all season but especially so in August; through five starts this month, the right-hander has accrued a 2.08 ERA and 1.02 WHIP while striking out 37 over 30.1 innings.

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• Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly: Suffered hamstring cramp

  Rotowire Aug 25, 2023

  Kelly exited Thursday's game against the Reds due to a cramp in his right hamstring, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports. Kelly allowed only one baserunner across seven scoreless innings of work while striking out 12. He was prepared to at least begin the eighth frame but was visited by trainers and ultimately left prior to throwing another pitch. The issue is considered minor, so there's a good chance that Kelly won't be forced to miss a start.

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• Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly: Exits with apparent cramp

  Rotowire Aug 24, 2023

  Kelly exited Thursday's game against the Reds prior to the eighth inning with apparent cramping, Jody Jackson of Bally Sports Arizona reports. Kelly pitched a brilliant game, throwing seven scoreless innings while allowing only one hit and striking out 12. He needed just 86 pitches to do so and was warming up to prepare for his eighth frame of work. However, trainers came to the mound and Kelly exited shortly thereafter. For now, the issue appears to be relatively minor, though more details should emerge soon.

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• Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly: Stumbles to win No. 10

  Rotowire Aug 20, 2023

  Kelly (10-5) picked up the win in the first game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Padres, giving up three runs on five hits and four walks over 5.1 innings. He struck out three. The right-hander was far from sharp, serving up a pair of solo shots in the first inning to Ha-Seong Kim and Manny Machado and tossing only 56 strikes among his 102 pitches before exiting, but Kelly got enough run support to collect his first win since June 19. Ironically, this was his worst outing of the second half -- since returning from a calf injury in late July, he's posted a 2.88 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 36:12 K:BB through 34.1 innings. Kelly will look to keep rolling in his next start, likely to come at home next weekend against the Reds.

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