The Arizona Diamondbacks, may be just 11-13 on the year, but the squad is two games under the slumping Los Angeles Dodgers in the division standings.
However, the defending National League champions were dealt a significant blow Tuesday. The team lost its second starting pitcher to the injured list and now must fill his spot with a minor leaguer.
Merrill Kelly, a key member of the Arizona Diamondbacks’ “best-case scenario” rotation, was placed on the 15-day injured list Tuesday with a right shoulder strain. The move was made retroactive to April 20.
The team has called up pitcher Tommy Henry from Triple-A Reno, with hopes he can fill Gallen’s spot in the rotation until the six-year MLB veteran’s return.
Arizona Diamondbacks Down Two Starting Pitchers
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Kelly was 2-0 with a 2.19 ERA and 21 strikeouts through four starts this season. In the Arizona Diamondbacks’ perfect world, Kelly fits in behind staff ace Zac Gallen in a rotation that also features free agent signees Jordan Montgomery and Eduardo Rodriguez along with respected youngster Brandon Pfaadt.
Montgomery, a late spring signing is just one start into his Arizona Diamondbacks career after building up some innings in the minors. However, Rodriguez has yet to throw a pitch for his new club after suffering a strained lat prior to Opening Day.
That means the Arizona Diamondbacks have had to make do without their ideal staff. The team has leaned heavily on Pfaadt, while also giving a starting opportunity to young Slade Cecconi, who performed admirably in his lone start of the season to date. Ryne Nelson, who had been filling in on the team’s rotation, went on the IL April 19 with an elbow contusion.
Arizona Diamondbacks Hope Kelly Not Out Long
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The Arizona Diamondbacks initially hoped that Kelly, who was diagnosed with a teres major strain during an MRI on Sunday, would be able to avoid an IL stint.
Kelly’s troubles initially surfaced on Saturday, when he felt discomfort after just a few throws while playing catch. Trainers were initially notified, and Kelly told reporters:
“It’s a really light sensation, but in my mind I feel like I can just tell it was different than something usual. Obviously during the course of the season, during the course of our lives, we’ve all felt things in our arm when we’ve let go of a baseball. I think at this point in my career I’m pretty decent at being able to tell the difference on what’s OK to keep going through and then what’s not.”
His planned Sunday start against the San Francisco Giants was skipped in favor of Cecconi’s 2024 MLB debut. The team was initially optimistic that would be all required for Kelly to recover. However, on Monday, that thinking changed, leading to Tuesday’s IL placement.
Cecconi, who earned his first MLB win with six innings of two-hit, two-run ball in a 5-3 defeat of the Giants, will now likely see at least another turn or two in the rotation.
Sewald to Make Rehab Appearance for Arizona Diamondbacks Triple-A Team
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In good news for the Arizona Diamondbacks, closer Paul Sewald is close to returning to the team. Acquired from the Seattle Mariners last season to anchor the back of the Snakes’ bullpen, Sewald suffered a Grade 2 left oblique strain in spring training. However, his recovery has went well and he is slated to pitch in minor-league rehab game with Triple-A Reno on Tuesday.
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Tom Carothers is a sportswriter with more than 20 years of experience covering sports at the high school, collegiate, and professional levels. Still longing for the return of his Minnesota North Stars, he has a high pain tolerance as a big fan of the Chicago Cubs, Cleveland Browns, and Tottenham Hotspur.
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