The Arizona Diamondbacks will activate pitcher Merrill Kelly on Tuesday amid recent roster changes. The team is looking to improve after a slow start to the 2026 season, currently holding a 9-8 record.
Diamondbacks to activate Merrill Kelly amid roster moves on Tuesday originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Arizona Diamondbacks have struggled to get going in the 2026 season, posting a 9-8 record through Monday nightâs action, when they fell to the Baltimore Orioles, 7-9. Ryne Nelson had a solid start, going a little over five innings in which he allowed three hits while fanning seven batters.
It would be Taylor Rashiâs four earned runs that allowed the Orioles to get the upper hand in the fight.
While some of their pitching staff was lackluster on Monday night, the Diamondbacks are set to get some heavily needed reinforcements ahead of Tuesday nightâs match.
As reported by Jody Jackson, Arizona is expected to activate Merrill Kelly from their injury list, while moving Brandon Pfaadt to the bullpen, and the aforementioned Rashi getting sent to the Reno Aces, the Diamondbacksâ Triple-A affiliate.
Kelly was on Arizonaâs injury list due to an intercostal nerve irritation that he suffered during spring training. If the 37-year-old is to start on Tuesday night, itâll be his first appearance with the Diamondbacks since making his way back to the team after getting traded away to the Texas Rangers last season.
In 2025, with Arizona, Kelly posted a 9-6 record, an ERA of 3.22, and a FIP of 3.58, with his numbers dipping after being moved to the Lone Star State.
Pfaadtâs move to the bullpen comes in the midst of what has been a tough start to the season, failing to record a win in any of his three starts, while having an ERA of 5.94.
The same struggles could be seen with Rashi, who has an ERA of 9.82 in his three appearances this season. The move to the Aces could help out the second-year reliever, as he found a bit more success in the farm system in 2025, posting a 4-2 record, with 72 strikeouts to his name.
The Diamondbacks take on the Orioles on Tuesday night, with first pitch slated for 6:35 p.m. EST.
Merrill Kelly is a pitcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks, and he is being activated to strengthen the team's pitching staff.
As of Monday night, the Arizona Diamondbacks have a record of 9-8 in the 2026 season.
The Diamondbacks lost to the Baltimore Orioles with a score of 7-9 in their recent game.
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