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Diamondbacks accept Merrill Kelly’s $7 million club option

Posted on by L. Dreeye
Diamondbacks accept Merrill Kelly’s million club option

The Arizona Diamondbacks have selected their club to bring back Merrill Kelly in 2025, MLB Network insider Jon Heyman reported Saturday.

In 2022, Kelly signed a two-year extension with a $7 million team option and a $1 million buyout.

The 36-year-old has become a cornerstone of the rotation since signing with the club ahead of the 2019 season after pitching in Korea, creating a 1-2 punch with Zach Gallen that has flourished into the 2022-23 season.

Teres’ main strain cost Kelly nearly four months on the injured list and limited him to 13 starts in 2024. He finished with a 4.03 ERA, but ended the year with a 3.58 ERA in September.

Kelly put together a career in 2023 with not only a 3.29 ERA in 30 regular-season starts, but also a stunning postseason run in which he started four games with a 2.25 ERA.

In Game 2 of the World Series, Kelly threw seven innings with one earned run and nine strikeouts in a win over the Texas Rangers. He also had the opportunity to play for Team USA at the World Baseball Classic.

Kelly reached his goal of breaking the 200-inning mark in 2022.

In six seasons, Kelly ranks fifth on the franchise’s all-time leaderboard in innings pitched with 824.1, seventh in strikeouts with 744 and sixth in bWAR for pitchers with 13.5.

The only pitchers who have had more innings for defenders are Randy Johnson, Brandon Webb, Patrick Corbin and Brian Anderson.

Before turning pro, Kelly played at Desert Mountain High School, Yavapai College and finally at Arizona State in 2010.

Kelly returns to a starting pitching lineup of Gallen, Eduardo Rodriguez, Ryne Nelson and Brandon Pfaadt. Jordan Montgomery has a player option worth $22.5 million, which he reportedly picked up.

Kelly and Gallen are on track to become free agents after the 2025 season, which will be a turning point for Diamondbacks pitchers.

Arizona will hire new pitching coaches after firing Brent Strome after missing the postseason.