Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Merrill Kelly has received further medical evaluation, including a CT scan, for back issues that have sidelined him during spring training, according to manager Torey Lovullo’s comments to media Tuesday.
Kelly was scheduled to throw batting practice to Diamondbacks players Saturday during spring training, but the session was canceled due to what team officials described as tightness in his middle back. He received an MRI examination Sunday.
The team anticipates learning more about how serious the injury is on Wednesday.
“Anything is in play here, but Merrill works hard to keep himself in shape so we’re going to remain positive,” Lovullo said.
The 37-year-old Kelly posted a combined 12-9 record with a 3.52 ERA across 32 starts last season split between Arizona and Texas. The Diamondbacks traded him to the Rangers at the deadline before bringing him back this offseason on a two-year deal worth $40 million.
Throughout his seven-year major league career, spent primarily with Arizona, Kelly has compiled a 65-53 record with a 3.77 ERA across 172 regular-season starts. During Arizona’s 2023 playoff run to the World Series, where they fell to Texas, he posted a 3-1 record with a 2.25 ERA, allowing eight walks while striking out 28 batters in 24 innings pitched.
