D-backs Agree to Terms with RHP Merrill Kelly

The Arizona Diamondbacks agreed to terms with RHP Merrill Kelly on a 2-year contract with a vesting option for 2028.

The D-backs’ 40-man roster is at 40.

RHP Merrill Kelly

• Entering 2026, is the third D-backs pitcher to appear in 8 seasons with the franchise (also: Randy Johnson/1999-2004, '07-08 and Andrew Chafin/2014-20, '23).
• Is currently tied as the second-longest tenured D-back on the roster with Kevin Ginkel, behind Ketel Marte (entering 10th season).
• The longtime Valley resident grew up in Scottsdale and attended Desert Mountain High School, Yavapai College and Arizona State University.
• Ranks among D-backs’ starting pitchers all-time [min. 50 GS] in career wins (4th, 62), starts (4th, 162), innings (4th, 953.0), quality starts (5th, 83), opponent AVG (6th, .237), strikeouts (7th, 865), opponent OPS (7th, .696) and WHIP (7th, 1.19).
• Among NL starters since 2022 [min. 75 GS], ranks in win pct. (3rd, .629), wins (T-6th, 39), quality starts (7th, 54) and ERA (8th, 3.40).
• Has posted 12+ wins and 175.0+ innings in 3 of his last 4 seasons…is 1 of 5 Major League pitchers since 2022 to accomplish the feat 3+ times (also: Framber Valdez/HOU [4], Zac Gallen/ARI [3], Carlos Rodón/SF-NYY [3] and Logan Webb/SF [3]).
• In 2025 with the D-backs and Rangers, went a combined 12-9 with a 3.52 ERA (72 ER in 184.0 IP), opponent .226 AVG, 48 walks and 167 strikeouts over 32 starts (18 quality)…in 22 starts (13 quality) for the D-backs, prior to being traded on July 31 to the Rangers, went 9-6 with a 3.22 ERA, opponent .206 AVG, 38 walks and 121 strikeouts.
• During the 2023 Postseason, helped lead the club to its second ever World Series appearance and led the team in wins, strikeouts and WHIP…in 4 starts, went 3-1 with a 2.25 ERA (6 ER in 24.0 IP), 0.83 WHIP, opponent .145 AVG, 8 walks and 28 strikeouts…held opponent scoreless once and to 1 run twice.
• In Game 2 of the 2023 World Series @ Rangers, became the fourth D-backs pitcher (5 times overall) to allow 1 run or fewer over 7.0+ innings in a World Series start (also: Randy Johnson, Curt Schilling [2x] and Miguel Batista)…his 9 strikeouts tied Schilling for second-most strikeouts in a World Series game by a D-backs starter, behind Johnson’s 11…retired the first 11 batters to set the club record for most consecutive batters retired by a D-backs pitcher to start a World Series (10 by Johnson in GM 2 vs. Yankees) [Elias Sports Bureau].
• In 7 seasons in the Majors, in 172 starts (88 quality), has gone 65-53 with a 3.77 ERA (422 ER in 1,008.1 IP), opponent .239 AVG, 300 walks and 911 strikeouts.