In Scottsdale, Arizona, the Diamondbacks are feeling a bit on edge with any pitcher injuries, and right now, it's Merrill Kelly grabbing their attention. Kelly, who just inked a two-year, $40 million deal this offseason, had to pull out of a live batting-practice session on Saturday due to tightness in his left mid-back.
Kelly was all set to go but decided to call it off after feeling discomfort during his warm-up.
“We've been addressing something in the mid-back area,” Kelly explained. “It varies day by day. Today, while throwing in the bullpen, around the tenth pitch, I started feeling it more, and by the last few pitches, it was clear I needed to stop.”
An MRI scheduled for Sunday should shed light on the issue.
“I’m not overly concerned yet,” Kelly remarked. “We don’t know what it is. I’ve been throwing normally for the past week and a half without it flaring up until today, so I’m taking that as a positive.”
Kelly felt fine during his second bullpen session of the spring, but after completing it and hitting the weight room, he noticed some discomfort.
The Diamondbacks have had their share of pitching woes over the past year, with five pitchers undergoing elbow surgeries, including Tommy John and internal brace procedures. This season, they'll start without ace Corbin Burnes and co-closers A.J. Puk and Justin Martinez, who are recovering from surgeries.
Manager Torey Lovullo expressed cautious optimism: "The concern is real, but Merrill knows his body well, and I appreciate that he didn’t push it. For now, I’d say the concern is minimal.”