PHOENIX — Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Merrill Kelly admits there was some doubt he would ever wear Sedona Red again after last summer’s trade deadline.
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Jun 15, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Merrill Kelly (29) on the mound to start in the first inning against San Diego Padres at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Allan Henry-Imagn Images
Traded to the Texas Rangers at midseason, Kelly left Arizona to join only the second major league organization of his career. He pitched well in Texas, but the Rangers ultimately fell short of the postseason, leaving Kelly facing an early offseason.
With his rising value, many wondered whether the Diamondbacks would try to bring back one of the key pieces of the rotation. Kelly understood the reality of the business.
Still, the right-hander said Arizona’s front office eased some of that uncertainty by staying in contact throughout the trade process.
“I think there was definitely more hope than doubt.”
Arizona Diamondbacks’ Merrill Kelly on whether he had any doubts he could make a return to the team after being traded midseason.
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“Right off the bat, they expressed interest on me coming back,” Kelly said. “We all know the nature of the beast in this industry and we know that most times, nothing is forever. Luckily, I’m in a spot where I get to come back and try to make it forever.”
Kelly made his major league debut with Arizona and established himself as a model of consistency and durability. Over the past four seasons in the desert, the mainstay has posted an average 3.56 ERA, with 2024 the only season it climbed above 4.00, finishing at 4.03. The key to his success has been deception and painting the corners rather than relying on velocity.
Apr 20, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Merrill Kelly (29) looks on as he delivers a pitch against the Chicago Cubs during the first inning at Wrigley Field. Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
In an era in which speed is highly valued, Kelly stands out as an outlier who has found sustained success. Other teams showed interest in this outlier once he hit the market, Kelly said the Diamondbacks made their intentions clear early.
Arizona, he said, backed up its words with action.
May 30, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Merrill Kelly against the Washington Nationals at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
“I have to hand it to them,” said Kelly. “They were the first ones at the door, [the] first ones to make an offer. Ultimately, showed me what they said at the trade deadline about being serious about bringing me back… They definitely showed that.”
A cornerstone of the Diamondbacks’ rotation in recent seasons, Kelly formed a reliable one-two pairing with former ace Zac Gallen. While aces draw much of the attention, Kelly’s stability behind Gallen helped provide a unique combination that was hard to ignore.
Sep 21, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Merrill Kelly (23) pitches against the Miami Marlins during the third inning at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
For fans, this offseason has been one of worry. Will the team retool? Will the team rebuild? What does the future look like in Phoenix? After missing the postseason the past two years following their World Series run in 2023, the team found itself at a crossroads.
As questions lingered about what the team would do, Kelly’s signing has fueled the one thing the D-Backs faithful were looking for from the front office: trust.
Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Merrill Kelly (29) reacts after leaving the game with a 11-0 lead against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the seventh inning during Game 1 of the NLDS at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Oct. 7, 2023 © Rob Schumacher/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.
Kelly’s return isn’t just a homecoming; it’s also a sign of the direction the team is planning to go by signing one of baseball’s most reliable arms. If they signed him, then there was hope that the club would push for another postseason appearance next year. For the right-hander, the reception from fans in the Valley has been great.
“Thank you for always supporting me,” the right-hander said. “Thank you for always being behind me and I hope you guys continue to do that for the next couple of years. Just know, as hard as I’ve tried to be consistent and reliable for you guys, I wanna continue to try just as hard these next couple of years.”
“Thank you.”
Merrill Kelly’s message to the Arizona Diamondbacks faithful after re-signing with the club and what it means to have the fans welcome him back.
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— Burn City Sports (@BurnCitySports) December 20, 2025
Kelly’s return not only gives the Diamondbacks stability in their rotation but also reinforces a relationship that both the player, the organization and the fans were eager to continue.
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Wendy Lopez is a reporter for Burn City Sports. You can follow her on her X account, @wlopezde
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