The Diamondbacks have reinstated veteran starter Merrill Kelly from the 60-day injured list, the team announced. To make room for the right-hander on the active roster, righty reliever Scott McGough has been optioned to Triple-A Reno. Meanwhile, fellow righty Humberto Castellanos has been designated for assignment to free up a spot on the 40-man.
Kelly, now 35, was a durable and dependable starter for the Diamondbacks from 2021-23, making 90 starts and pitching to a 3.66 ERA and 4.16 SIERA. He got off to a strong start over his first four outings in 2024, putting up a 2.19 ERA and 3.88 SIERA in 24 2/3 innings pitched, but he suffered a teres major strain in mid-April. The right-hander will make his highly anticipated return this afternoon against the Phillies, and the D-backs will have their full rotation healthy for the first time this season. Manager Torey Lovullo now has six healthy starters at his disposal: Zac Gallen, Brandon Pfaadt, Eduardo Rodriguez, Jordan Montgomery, Ryne Nelson, and Kelly.
McGough, 34, signed a two-year deal with Arizona during the 2022-23 offseason. He was a serviceable middle reliever last season, pitching to a 4.73 ERA and 3.49 SIERA over 70 1/3 innings, but he has struggled in 2024. Over 29 innings, McGough has a 6.83 ERA and 5.63 SIERA. This is the third time he has been optioned this season.
As for Castellanos, 26, he has failed to make much of an impression over 32 games (16 starts) for the Diamondbacks at the big league level. Since the D-backs claimed him off of waivers from the Astros during the 2020-21 offseason, he has pitched to a 5.29 ERA and 4.89 SIERA over 100 1/3 innings as both a starter and a reliever. His minor league stats aren’t much better; he has a 4.59 ERA and 6.64 FIP at Triple-A this year. If Castellanos passes through waivers unclaimed, he will have the right to reject an outright assignment to Triple-A and elect free agency.
sufferforsnakes
If a choice needed to be made as to which of the 6 starters to move to the pen, which would be your choice? Mine would be Montgomery.
Blackpink in the area
I am a Cardinals fan I have a trade idea involving the Diamondbacks and Montgomery.
Gorman
Liberatore
Matz
For
Perdomo
Groover
Montgomery
Diamondbacks pay the difference in salary between Matz and Montgomery
Diamondbacks get a lefty power bat who can play 3b and perhaps 1b which could be a replacement for Pedersen or Walker probably Pedersen. Both Liberatore and Gorman are from Arizona and friends. Cardinals get Perdomo who is a good defender and more versatile and a switch hitter which is a better fit for the team and a guy who hopefully can bounce back in Montgomery.
scottaz
You do realize the Trade Deadline has long since passed,… and NO!
sufferforsnakes
Mark this day on the calendar. For once we agree.
Blackpink in the area
I thought you would realize I was talking about in the offseason. Perhaps I was giving you too much credit?
hannibal4467
Thats a big NOPE. Domo is not going anywhere.
desertdawg
If there were a “Captain” on the D’Backs it is Perdomo, can’t see Hazen putting Perdomo in the deal.
Blackpink in the area
Where exactly is Perdomo playing when Lawlar arrives?
That trade seems pretty good for the Diamondbacks. With Walker and Pedersen free agents and perhaps Suarez too seems like Gorman would be a great fit.
scottaz
NO
Gorman is a 2b. You do realize that the Dbacks have All-Star, soon to be MVP Ketel Marte at 2b long term!
There are so many things wrong with your trade proposal. Gorman is hitting .201. The entire package is worth a bag of peanuts. If the Dbacks ever traded Perdomo, he alone would command a trade package far better than the garbage you offered. Montgomery might opt out of his player option contract. Dbacks don’t give away top prospects, especially for nothing of value in return.. Liberatore with his 4.76 ERA and Matz with his 6.07 ERA couldn’t even make the 25 man roster, even with all the injuries the Dbacks have endured with their starting pitching and bullpen. etc. etc. etc.
Blackpink in the area
Gorman is not a 2b knucklehead. He’s a 3b who is playing 2b because the Cardinals have Arenado. And his best position might actually be 1b.
You want to be a homer great be one. Why be a jerk over something so meaningless?
scottaz
Shall I go on?
Suarez and Pederson both have options for next year. Even though Pederson’s is a mutual option, the Dbacks in all likelihood aren’t losing either one.
Dbacks as a team are 8th in the league in HR and virtually 4th in the league in every other offensive category, so what makes you think the Dbacks want or need a low batting average player with severe defensive liabilities like Gorman. I could go on forever with what is wrong with your pathetic trade proposal.
Blackpink in the area
When was the last time a mutual option was exercised?
You sound like a fool. Good luck.
scottaz
The question is “Where is Lawler going to play when he is healthy?” It won’t be at SS, maybe 3b?
If he is activated in September and for the post-season, he will be as a pinch runner, pinch hitter and defensive replacement. He has missed so much development time with injuries this year, that he will essentially be used exactly as he was last year in the run to the WS.
Blackpink in the area
Perdomo isn’t that good. He has a 651 career OPS.
I can’t stand talking to homers. Go away.
scottaz
You’ve already demonstrated who the fool is.
For your education: last off-season Lourdes Gurriel, Jr. was a free agent by contract stipulation, but chose to re-sign with the Dbacks. The Dbacks have a history of signing players because they want to play for an excellent, young team that will be in the post-season for years to come. So, although you are right that teams and players virtually never agree to exercise a mutual option, I didn’t say, write or mean that the Dbacks would keep Pederson via the mutual option, only that there is a high likelihood that both player and team want more years together.
scottaz
Then why did you want to trade for him? Fool!
Perdomo is an All-Star and virtual captain of the inf., a very productive offensive player and a Gold Glove caliber defensive player. And, he’s a heck of a lot better than anyone the Cards trot out. Scoreboard baby!
Blackpink in the area
Ok off to mute you go. Peace.
JoeBrady
I wouldn’t do it.
Gorman is interesting, but Perdomo is a very high-level UIF, which can be more important than a pedestrian 2B.
Liberatore still has promise, but just like with Gorman, that promise is starting to fade.
But the killer is Matz v Monty with AZ picking up the tab. It’s like asking which player you’d want regardless of cost. That has to be Monty. Monty is probably toast this year, but could easily come back next year.
Blackpink in the area
Gorman is not a pedestrian 2b that’s a stupid comment. Gorman will probably lead all of baseball in home runs one day.
Angels & NL West
sufferforsnakes, I agree that Monty should be the odd man out now that Rodriguez and Kelly have returned.
sad tormented neglected mariners fan
Diamondbacks playoff rotation would be gallen Kelly and Rodriguez right? If Monty gets good again could he bounce rodriguez or could there be a 4 pitcher rotation?
scottaz
Pfaadt and Nelson are pitching better than Montgomery. If I managed the Dbacks, the post-season rotation would be 5 pitchers: Gallen, Kelly, Pfaadt, Nelson and Rodriguez.
sufferforsnakes
Gonna need a bigger calendar. That’s twice we have agreed on something today.
Brew88
As long as they keep scoring 12 runs per game it won’t matter
pohle
snakes alive!!!