12/14/25 12:23:00
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12/14 12:22 CST Veteran pitcher Merrill Kelly returns to Diamondbacks on a $40
million, 2-year deal, AP source says
Veteran pitcher Merrill Kelly returns to Diamondbacks on a $40 million, 2-year
deal, AP source says
By DAVID BRANDT
AP Baseball Writer
PHOENIX (AP) --- Veteran starting pitcher Merrill Kelly agreed Sunday to return
to the Arizona Diamondbacks on a $40 million, two-year deal, according to a
person familiar with the move.
The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the
deal has not been announced and is pending a physical.
The right-hander spent the first 6 1/2 years of his career with the
Diamondbacks before the pending free agent was dealt to the Texas Rangers at
this year's trade deadline in July. He was good for both teams, finishing with
a combined 12-9 record and 3.52 ERA.
Kelly's return to the desert isn't a huge surprise considering he's a
Scottsdale native and played in college at Arizona State.
The fan favorite was a key piece of the team that went to the World Series in
2023. He had a 12-8 record and a 3.29 ERA that season, adding a masterful
performance in Game 2 of the World Series against the Rangers, which is the
only game the D-backs would win in the Fall Classic.
The 37-year-old doesn't have overpowering stuff but thrives thanks to a
six-pitch mix that keeps hitters off balance. He has carved out a solid MLB
career despite not making his debut until he was 30 in 2019.
He was drafted in 2010 by the Tampa Bay Rays but got stuck in Triple A before
electing to sign with the SK Wyverns of the Korean Baseball Organization from
2015 to 2018, going 48-32 with a 3.86 ERA.
The Diamondbacks liked what they saw and signed him to a $14.5 million,
four-year deal in 2018.
He agreed to an $18 million, two-year deal with Arizona in 2022 that covered
the 2023 and 2024 seasons and included a club option for 2025 that the D-backs
exercised.
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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
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