Diamondbacks exercise 2021 club option on pitcher Merrill Kelly
Nov 1, 2020, 10:22 AM
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Merrill Kelly throws in the first inning during a baseball game against the San Diego Padres, Friday, Aug 14, 2020, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
The Arizona Diamondbacks exercised a quartet of roster moves on Sunday.
Chief amongst them was exercising the 2021 team option for right-handed pitcher Merrill Kelly, as well as activating Kelly from the 45-day injured list.
Kelly went 3-2 with a 2.59 ERA in five starts in 2020 before suffering a nerve impingement in his throwing shoulder.
The 31-year-old pitcher played high school baseball at Desert Mountain High School in Scottsdale as well as collegiate ball at Yavapai College and Arizona State.
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Kelly was selected in the eighth round of 2010 MLB Draft by the Tampa Bay Rays, reaching AAA with the organization before leaving to play in the Korea Baseball Organization in 2015.
He posted a 36-25 record and a 3.80 ERA with the SK Wyverns over three seasons, before returning stateside to join the Diamondbacks on a minor league contract in 2018.
Kelly led the National League in losses, with 14, in 2019, but also finished atop the team in wins (13) and innings pitched (183.1).
He’s scheduled to earn $4.25 million in 2021, according to MLB Trade Rumors.
Other Roster Moves
The D-backs also reinstated right-handed pitchers Jeremy Beasley (right shoulder strain) and Corbin Martin (left oblique strain) from the 45-day injured list on Sunday.
The team currently has 38 players on their 40-man roster.
