Merrill Kelly SP TEX Sat 8/2/25 10:09 PM
Merrill Kelly
SP TEX
Kelly did not factor into the decision in Saturday's 6-4 extra-innings win over the Mariners, allowing two runs on four hits and no walks with six strikeouts over 5.2 innings.
EDGE Analysis
Kelly cruised through five scoreless frames but faltered in the sixth, allowing two runs and departing an out shy of a quality start at just 69 pitches. The 36-year-old threw 48 strikes with an impressive 15 whiffs, and he's now yielded three earned runs or fewer in eight straight outings. He'll carry a 3.22 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 127:38 K:BB across 134.1 innings into a home matchup with the Phillies next weekend.
Merrill Kelly SP TEX Sat 8/2/25 8:55 AM
Merrill Kelly
SP TEX
Kelly is scheduled to start Saturday's game against the Mariners at T-Mobile Park.
EDGE Analysis
Acquired from the Diamondbacks on Thursday, Kelly will join the Texas rotation as a replacement for right-hander Kumar Rocker, who was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock on Friday. Set to become a free agent this winter, the 36-year-old righty will be looking to finish the 2025 campaign on a high note while he aims to secure one last big payday in the offseason. He had been Arizona's top starter this season prior to being dealt, turning in a 3.22 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 121:38 K:BB over 128.2 innings.
Merrill Kelly SP TEX Thu 7/31/25 5:28 PM
Merrill Kelly
SP TEX
Kelly was traded from the Diamondbacks to the Rangers on Thursday in exchange for Kohl Drake, Mitch Bratt and David Hagaman, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
Kelly will step right into the rotation behind Jacob deGrom and Nathan Eovaldi, although it's unclear when he'll make his Rangers debut. Kelly is a free agent after the season, and Drake and Bratt were two of the Rangers' top prospects, so this is a big swing by Texas. The 36-year-old righty has a 3.22 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 121 strikeouts in 128.2 innings this season.
Merrill Kelly SP TEX Sat 7/26/25 10:04 PM
Merrill Kelly
SP TEX
Kelly (9-6) took the loss against the Pirates on Saturday, allowing two runs (one earned) on six hits and one walk with three strikeouts over three innings.
EDGE Analysis
Kelly gave up a two-run homer in the second inning, and that proved to be all the Pirates needed as the Diamondbacks were shut out. The 36-year-old still logged his fourth quality start in five July outings, allowing just eight earned runs over 30.2 innings during that stretch. He'll take a 3.22 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 121:38 K:BB across 128.2 innings into a road matchup with the Athletics next weekend.
Merrill Kelly SP TEX Sun 7/20/25 6:46 PM
Merrill Kelly
SP TEX
Kelly (9-5) earned the win Sunday against St. Louis, yielding two runs on three hits and four walks over six innings. He struck out five.
EDGE Analysis
Despite issuing four free passes for the second consecutive outing, Kelly managed to notch his 12th quality start with this 97-pitch performance. The 36-year-old limited the Cardinals to just one extra-base hit, a Victor Scott double in the third that turned into the first run, as he made his sixth straight start allowing three or fewer runs. Kelly will make an attractive trade chip for Arizona at the upcoming deadline because he's pitched to a 2.79 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 115:30 K:BB across 113 innings since a nine-run disaster at the Yankees on April 3. The veteran righty currently lines up for a juicy matchup at Pittsburgh next weekend.
Merrill Kelly SP TEX Sun 7/13/25 7:11 PM
Merrill Kelly
SP TEX
Kelly (8-5) allowed one run on one hit and four walks while striking out six over five innings to earn the win over the Angels on Sunday.
EDGE Analysis
Kelly battled calf discomfort in his last start, but he looks to be fine after a 98-pitch start, though he landed just 58 of those pitches for strikes. He was still able to limit the damage to a Mike Trout RBI single in the third inning, and the Diamondbacks gave Kelly plenty of support to pick up his first win in four starts. The four walks matched his season high from his first start of the year, while the right-hander was able to keep the ball in the yard for the first time in six outings. He's at a 3.34 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 113:33 K:BB across 116 innings over 20 starts this season. Kelly should be in line for a start in Arizona's home series versus the Cardinals after the All-Star break.
Merrill Kelly SP TEX Sun 7/13/25 9:34 AM
Merrill Kelly
SP TEX
Kelly (calf) will start Sunday's game against the Angels in Anaheim.
EDGE Analysis
Kelly dealt with some right calf discomfort in his most recent start Tuesday but still covered seven innings and 77 pitches before he was lifted. Afterward, manager Torey Lovullo downplayed the issue, and Kelly validated his skipper's optimism. The right-hander will head into his final appearance before the All-Star break having turned in quality starts in five of his past seven outings.
Merrill Kelly SP TEX Wed 7/9/25 9:53 AM
Merrill Kelly
SP TEX
Kelly said after Tuesday's 1-0 loss to the Padres that he was lifted early from his start after experiencing right calf discomfort, but he doesn't believe it will be anything worrisome moving forward, ArizonaSports.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
Kelly has had multiple starts cut short in recent seasons due to leg cramping, and he appears to have run into a similar issue Tuesday. Though Kelly said he was "willing and able" to return to the mound for the bottom of the eighth after he felt some discomfort in his calf on two pitches in the seventh, the Diamondbacks ultimately decided to err on the side of caution and lift him early in a one-run game. Kelly dropped to 7-5 on the season while taking the loss, but he emerged with his fifth quality start in his last seven outings, as he allowed just one run on four hits and no walks while striking out four over seven innings and 77 pitches. Manager Torey Lovullo echoed Kelly's comments about his early exit being precautionary in nature, as the skipper said that there is "zero chance" the calf will be an issue for the right-hander moving forward, according to Jesse Friedman of GoPHNX.com. Kelly tentatively lines up to start the Diamondbacks' final game before the All-Star break Sunday in Anaheim versus the Angels.
Merrill Kelly SP TEX Wed 7/9/25 1:12 AM
Merrill Kelly
SP TEX
Kelly (7-5) allowed one run on four hits and struck out four without walking a batter over seven innings, taking the loss Tuesday versus the Padres.
EDGE Analysis
Kelly was stuck with an unlucky loss, as he gave up the lone run of the game on a Luis Arraez solo shot to lead off the bottom of the seventh inning. This was the fifth straight start in which Kelly has given up a home run. He's given up 16 runs (13 earned) over 29 innings in that span, which has been one of his more modest stretches in a strong campaign. Overall, Kelly has a 3.41 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 107:29 K:BB across 111 innings over 19 starts. He is projected to start this weekend on the road versus the Angels.
Merrill Kelly SP TEX Thu 7/3/25 1:32 AM
Merrill Kelly
SP TEX
Kelly didn't factor into the decision Wednesday against San Francisco, allowing three runs on five hits and three walks with three strikeouts over six innings.
EDGE Analysis
Kelly got off to a rough start, allowing a solo homer, a triple and a walk as part of a two-run first inning for the Giants. While he settled in afterward and logged his fourth quality start in six outings, he notched his fewest strikeouts since May 2 and snapped a streak of five straight starts with at least seven Ks. On the year, Kelly owns a 3.55 ERA across 104 innings. He's tentatively scheduled to make his next start in San Diego.