In the sunny setting of Surprise, Arizona, Merrill Kelly's return to the mound for the Diamondbacks brought a mix of relief and realism. The right-hander, who recently grappled with a back issue, made his spring debut in the Cactus League, showing promise despite the lingering effects of his injury.
Kelly, who had to delay his start this spring due to back trouble during a warm-up session in late February, took the mound against the Royals. He pitched 1 2/3 innings, allowing two runs in the D-backs' 11-5 victory. Most importantly, his back held up, allowing him to focus on his game rather than discomfort.
"Back felt good, so that's the priority for today," Kelly noted, expressing satisfaction with his physical condition after throwing 36 pitches, 23 of which were strikes.
However, the clock is ticking toward the March 26 season opener against the Dodgers, and Kelly's path to being ready seems unlikely. Initially pegged for the Opening Day start, the delay in his preparation has shifted expectations.
When asked about his chances of making the opening roster, Kelly was candid. "I'll say not very good," he admitted, reflecting on the disappointment of potentially missing the opener in Los Angeles-a significant event for any player, especially since it would be his first absence since debuting in 2019.
The possibility remains that Kelly could join the roster shortly after the season begins. If the Diamondbacks place him on the injured list at the end of Spring Training, he might only miss the first 12 days of the season.
Manager Torey Lovullo acknowledged the discussions around starting Kelly on the IL. “I want to be a dreamer, but I think he knows full well that it's a long shot,” Lovullo said. The priority is ensuring Kelly is fully ready to compete when he returns.
For now, Kelly's focus is on preparation and fine-tuning his pitches, confident that his back issues are behind him. "Just get as ready as I can," he emphasized, looking ahead to rejoining his team as soon as possible.