According to reports, the Arizona Diamondbacks are bringing back playoff ace Merrill Kelly on a significant two-year contract, reuniting a familiar face with the team's rotation. Arizona was 80-82 a year ago, and wants to get back in the playoff chase in 2026.
The Arizona Diamondbacks moved on from veteran pitcher Merrill Kelly at the trade deadliner in July, but they didn't move away for long. According to sources, the D'Backs are bringing him back home on a two-year, $40 million deal.
Kelly was traded to the Texas Rangers in late July for three prospects, but their pennant chase came up short. He was a free agent after the season, and will slot right back into the Diamondbacks' rotation along with Eduardo Rodriguez, Brandon Pfaadt and Ryne Nelson. Arizona also signed right-handed starter Michael Soroka to a one-year, $7.5 million deal last week.
The 37-year-old Kelly was a late bloomer. He resurrected his career with four solid seasons in South Korean, and then joined Arizona in 2019. He was a durable starter, posting a 3.74 ERA in 162 starts for Arizona and was a key piece on the Diamondbacks' 2023 World Series team, striking out 28 with a 2.25 ERA over 24 postseason innings.2-Yea
Kelly is 65-53 with a 3.77 ERA and 911 strikeouts in 1,008⅓ innings over seven MLB seasons.2
Arizona finished 80-82 last year, good for fourth place in the National League West.