As put by manager Torey Lovullo, Salt River Fields will be packed with action tomorrow as the D-backs are expected to have Merrill Kelly, Eduardo Rodriguez, and Jordan Montgomery all throw bullpens on the mound.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!This is a major step in the right direction for all three starters as they attempt to climb back from the IL.
Video credits to Alex Weiner at AZSports.
"Tomorrow is going to be a busy day over at Salt River Fields."
Arizona Diamondbacks skipper Torey Lovullo told reporters that starters Merrill Kelly, Eduardo Rodriguez and Jordan Montgomery will all throw bullpens on Tuesday.
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Eduardo Rodriguez
On the IL since the start of the season, Rodriguez has yet to make his long-anticipated debut for the Diamondbacks since he signed a lucrative four-year, $80 million deal with them last December. Rodriguez has started pitching programs in the past, but each time has been halted in the days following as his lat continued to cause him problems. Last week, the lefty received positive news on an MRI, indicating that he is ready to throw off a mound. Per Jon Heyman at the New York Post, Rodriguez could return to the Diamondbacks’ starting rotation as early as the latter days of July.
Merrill Kelly
Arguably the strongest arm in the Diamondbacks’ starting rotation during the first couple of months of the 2024 season, Kelly was initially placed on the 15-day IL with a shoulder injury back in late April. However, this turned into a trip to the 60-day IL when it was discovered that Kelly is dealing with a right shoulder strain. Last month, Kelly started his first throwing program. During his four starts before the injury, Kelly had posted a 2.19 ERA, lasting at least four innings in each. According to multiple reports, Kelly is expected to return to the Diamondbacks’ rotation in mid-August, just in time for a late-season playoff push.
Jordan Montgomery
The most recent to fall on the IL, Jordan Montgomery has felt the wrath of not signing until after Spring Training as the 31-year-old is having the worst season of his career, posting a 6.44 ERA across 13 starts. Against the Twins on June 27th, Montgomery allowed seven earned runs in 2.2 innings; it was later disclosed that he would be heading to the 15-day IL with right knee inflammation.
According to Lovullo, all three pitchers felt good after throwing off flat ground on July 7th.
Stay tuned for further updates
