D-backs' Merrill Kelly Taking Key Step Toward Return from Injury

A return may be close.

Mar 18, 2026; Salt River Pima-Maricopa, Arizona, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Merrill Kelly (29) throws against the Chicago Cubs in the first inning at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images | Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images

Right-hander Merrill Kelly will take a major step forward towards a return to the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday.

The veteran is scheduled to make his first rehab start with the Triple-A Reno Aces — a game against the Albuquerque Isotopes set for a 5:35 p.m. first pitch.

Kelly has been recovering from intercostal nerve irritation, which led to mid-back tightness that threw him off his schedule in spring training.

The earliest he would be able to return would be the series against the New York Mets on the road at Citi Field. With Kelly's 15-day IL stint backdated to March 24, the first day he would be eligible would be April 7. Manager Torey Lovullo did not say for sure whether Kelly would make his first regular-season start after the minimum, however.

Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly to make AAA rehab start

Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Merrill Kelly (29) during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 16, 2026, in Scottsdale. | Rob Schumacher/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Kelly has not had to make a rehab start since the 2024 season, when he dealt with a significant shoulder injury. He was healthy throughout 2025, but was ultimately traded at the deadline to the Texas Rangers in exchange for a trio of Texas' pitching prospects.

Kelly, of course, returned to Arizona on a two-year, $40 million deal in the offseason. He was named the opening day starter for the first time in his career, but had to ultimately vacate those duties as a result of the back ailment.

Kelly did manage to get into two spring training games before the advent of the regular season — two Cactus League games and one exhibition. However, both were relatively unsightly in terms of results. Kelly gave up nine earned runs over 6.1 innings, and appeared to tail off in terms of fastball velocity toward the end of his outings.

Of course, those types of outings are more common early in spring. Kelly was, admittedly, forced to start his clock over in terms of preparing for the regular season.

The right-hander had previously stated a hope that he would only need to make one rehab start, but that may depend on how Friday's outing goes.

The D-backs, meanwhile, got a historic debut start from right-hander Michael Soroka. If Soroka's next outing on Saturday is similarly positive, that could allow Kelly a longer ramp-up period, should the team choose to slow-play him.

Arizona's rotation has been a mixed bag since the start of the year. Zac Gallen has made one poor and one excellent start. Eduardo Rodriguez threw five scoreless at Dodger Stadium, while Ryne Nelson has suffered back-to-back poor outings. Brandon Pfaadt gave up five runs in a meltdown inning, but persevered to complete six frames in his lone start.