After half a season away from the only organization he’s known in his major league career, right-hander Merrill Kelly has decided to return to the desert and sign with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
According to The Athletics’ Ken Rosenthal, Kelly is finalizing a two-year $40 million contract with the Diamondbacks, which will take him to his age 38 season.
Kelly overall in 2025 went 12-9 with a 3.52 ERA in 32 starts (184.0 innings), and was a top trade candidate at the trade deadline. Going to the Texas Rangers, Kelly made 10 starts with them and went 3-3 with a 4.23 ERA.
Kelly’s signing with the Diamondbacks comes on the heels of them inking right-hander Michael Soroka to a one-year deal.