Merrill Kelly’s Back Injury Sparks Concern: Will the Diamondbacks’ Ace Be Ready for Opening Day?
The Arizona Diamondbacks’ plans for a strong start to the season hit a potential snag this weekend when their Opening Day starter, Merrill Kelly, revealed he’s dealing with mid-back tightness. But here’s where it gets concerning: Kelly, who was slated to face live hitters at Salt River Fields, had to abruptly end his bullpen session after just 10 pitches. And this is the part most people miss: This isn’t just a minor tweak—it’s an issue Kelly says he’s never experienced before, and it’s intense enough to warrant an MRI.
In a candid conversation on Saturday, Kelly explained, ‘We’ve been managing something in my mid-back, but today was different. Around pitch 10, I started feeling discomfort, and by the last two or three pitches, it was clear I needed to stop.’ This decision didn’t go unnoticed by manager Torey Lovullo, who praised Kelly’s caution: ‘When a pitcher steps off the mound like that, it’s a legitimate red flag. I’m glad he didn’t push through if something’s really wrong.’
Kelly first noticed the tightness after his second bullpen session of camp, but Saturday marked the sharpest pain he’s felt. Despite the setback, he’s trying to stay optimistic: ‘I’ve been throwing normally for the past week and a half, so I’m taking that as a positive sign. But until we get the MRI results, it’s hard to know what we’re dealing with.’
Here’s the controversial question: Could this injury jeopardize Kelly’s Opening Day start at Dodger Stadium? While it’s too early to say, the timing is undeniably tricky. Kelly, who signed a two-year, $40 million deal to return to the D-backs this offseason, was a cornerstone of the team’s rotation plans, alongside Michael Soroko and Zac Gallen. With Gallen already returning to camp, the rotation depth is there—but losing Kelly, even temporarily, would be a significant blow.
For now, all eyes are on the MRI results. Will Kelly be cleared in time, or will the D-backs need to reshuffle their plans? What do you think? Is this a minor hiccup, or could it derail Arizona’s early-season momentum? Let us know in the comments below!
