ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

Merrill Kelly closes out solid spring, D-backs name rotation

Mar 28, 2021, 4:38 PM | Updated: Mar 29, 2021, 8:01 am
Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Merrill Kelly throws against the Milwaukee Brewers in the fir...

Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Merrill Kelly throws against the Milwaukee Brewers in the first inning of a spring baseball game in Scottsdale, Ariz., Monday, March 1, 2021. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

(AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Merrill Kelly held strong in his last spring outing for the Arizona Diamondbacks in Sunday’s 7-4 loss to the Chicago White Sox.

Over five innings of work, Kelly produced his best start of spring training. The 32-year-old gave up just one run and four hits, while striking out six and walking one.

The righty said after the game that it was encouraging to have such a great outing as the regular season draws near.

“The way my stuff looked, the way it was coming out, definitely the best I’ve felt all spring,” he said.

Kelly’s outing was supported by a D-backs’ offense that held a three-run lead until the White Sox rallied in the eighth inning to score five runs.

The righty closes out the spring with 17 strikeouts and 11 earned runs given up in 18.2 innings across five starts. Sunday’s game was the first of Kelly’s five starts in which he didn’t allow at least one earned run in the first inning.

“Obviously, spring training’s a process and you hope to kind of feel better and better each game and that’s kind of what happened,” Kelly said. “Definitely this one was a springboard, definitely leaps and bounds over the last couple with the way I felt. I’m excited to get going in San Diego.”

With four days left until the regular season begins, manager Torey Lovullo announced the team’s pitching rotation for the first few games of the year and Kelly will be seeing action in the second game of the series against the San Diego Padres.

Madison Bumgarner will get the nod for Opening Day against the San Diego Padres on Thursday, followed by Kelly on Friday and Caleb Smith on Saturday. Taylor Widener will close out the series against the Padres on April 4, while Luke Weaver will take the mound April 6 against the Colorado Rockies.

For Widener, it will be his first MLB start after making 12 appearances out of the bullpen for Arizona last season. Through three spring training games (one start), the 26-year-old has allowed four runs, walked one and struck out 12.

“I’m obviously very excited to get a chance to be in the rotation for us,” Widener said. “I love the bullpen, but I also love starting.

“I love the routine that I can get into and I know that I have my set days whenever I’m going to be able to throw, so I can set my workouts better. It gives you a little extra time to prepare and it just gets your body feeling right.”

The righty slots in for an injured Zac Gallen, who suffered a hairline stress fracture in his right arm. There is currently no timeline for Gallen’s return to the mound.

“Taylor’s been throwing the ball very, very well so I think we were looking for somebody that could step in there and give us a very capable outing,” Lovullo said. “Taylor definitely deserves that opportunity.”

UP NEXT

The D-backs travel to Mesa to take on the Chicago Cubs at 12:05 p.m. on Monday.

Arizona Diamondbacks

Catcher Carson Kelly #18 of the Arizona Diamondbacks prepares to take the field before the MLB game...
Tyler Drake

D-backs’ Carson Kelly dealing with forearm fracture, no timeline for return

The Arizona Diamondbacks will have to navigate the beginning of the regular season without starting catcher Carson Kelly.
1 day ago
Munetaka Murakami #55 of Team Japan celebrates after hitting a two-run double to defeat Team Mexico...
Associated Press

Japan walks off Mexico to set up World Baseball Classic final vs. USA

Shohei Ohtani sparked a ninth-inning rally as Japan walked off Mexico 6-5 to advance to the World Baseball Classic final against Team USA.
2 days ago
Tommy Henry #47 of the Arizona Diamondbacks pitches during the first inning of the game against the...
Arizona Sports

LHP Henry optioned as D-backs key in on final starting candidates

The Diamondbacks optioned Tommy Henry to Triple-A on Monday, whittling down their options to cement the backend of their starting rotation.
2 days ago
Starting pitcher Merrill Kelly #29 of Team USA throws a warm-up pitch during the first inning of th...
Alex Weiner

D-backs’ Merrill Kelly set up to start World Baseball Classic final for Team USA

Team USA "looks like" it will turn to Diamondbacks starting pitcher Merrill Kelly in the World Baseball Classic final on Tuesday. 
2 days ago
Paul Goldschmidt #46 of Team USA celebrates with Moookie Betts #3 after hitting a two-run home run ...
Associated Press

Turner, Goldschmidt lead Team USA to WBC final with win vs. Cuba

Defending champion United States romped over Cuba 14-2 on Sunday night to reach its second straight World Baseball Classic final.
3 days ago
David Peralta #6 and Eduardo Escobar #5 of the Arizona Diamondbacks celebrate after scoring on a si...
Haboob Blog

Former D-backs OF David Peralta rekindles Eduardo Escobar’s cat fear with Team Venezuela

David Peralta had some fun with Eduardo Escobar's fear of cats when they were teammates with the Diamondbacks.
2 days ago
Merrill Kelly closes out solid spring, D-backs name rotation