There was a familiar face back in the Diamondbacks clubhouse prior to Arizona's 4-3 win over the Phillies on Sunday at Citizens Bank Park, as right-hander Merrill Kelly prepared to throw his between-starts bullpen session.
Kelly, who was on the injured list to open the season until being activated, made his first start of the year Tuesday night against the Orioles in Baltimore.
The club made a handful of corresponding roster moves along with activating Kelly:
• Catcher Aramis Garcia had his contract selected from Triple-A Reno
• Catcher Gabriel Moreno was placed on the 10-day IL, retroactive to Saturday, with a left oblique strain
• Infielder Pavin Smith was transferred to the 60-day IL with left elbow inflammation
• Right-hander Taylor Rashi was optioned to Reno
Kelly had been tabbed to start Opening Day before suffering a back injury early in Spring Training. Kelly experienced some discomfort in his back while warming up for a live batting practice session Feb. 21. Friday.
After being diagnosed with left intercostal nerve irritation, Kelly was able to make a few starts during Spring Training but was not built up enough pitch wise to be on the active roster for Opening Day.
After making a start for Triple-A Reno on April 3 in which he threw 72 pitches, the Diamondbacks elected to have him throw in an extended spring game last Thursday on a backfield at Salt River Fields.
The backfield game got him to 85 pitches, but Kelly did push back a bit on the idea of another rehab outing. In the end though, accepted the club's decision.
"I just felt like I was ready," Kelly said. "But obviously, it's not my decision. You know, it's up to the organization. Obviously, I wanted to be back with the team, help the team. I felt like I was healthy, but at the end of the day, one more is not going to make or break anything."
Not only was this Kelly's first time pitching at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, it was his first visit. After this, he has been to all 30.
"We wanted to get him here, throw his bullpen in front of [pitching coach Brian Kaplan] and the rest of the pitching coaches," Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said. "We felt that that was very important. So we're grateful that he flew in yesterday."