The Diamondbacks suffered an injury scare during their game against the Brewers this evening when right-hander Merrill Kelly walked off the mound after five innings due to what Arizona brass later indicated was a bout of cramping in his right calf.
As noted by Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic, that’s the second time in three starts that Kelly has exited early due to a cramping issue, after he departed his start on the 11th after just four innings due to cramping in his right hamstring. Cramping doesn’t seem to be an immediately concerning injury for the 35-year-old veteran to be suffering from but the fact that Kelly has had two starts cut short due to the issue, both of which involved his lower right leg, in such short order is somewhat worrisome for a Diamondbacks club that both has its eyes on a second consecutive postseason run and has not yet clinched its spot in the playoffs.
After an excellent 2023 season where he pitched to a 3.29 ERA and 3.85 FIP in 30 regular season starts before dominating with a 2.25 ERA in four starts during the club’s pennant-winning playoff run, Kelly got off to a similarly strong start early this year with a 2.19 ERA and 3.78 FIP through the middle of April, but was promptly sidelined by a teres major strain that wound up keeping him on the shelf for the majority of the season. The right-hander finally returned to action last month but hasn’t been nearly as successful since returning from injury.
In seven starts spanning 38 1/3 innings of work prior to tonight’s game, Kelly has surrendered a 5.17 ERA with a 5.44 FIP while striking out just 17% of opponents. That’s a worrisome dip for a pitcher who punched out more than a quarter of batters faced just last year, and it’s further exacerbated by Kelly’s sudden penchant for the long ball; prior to tonight’s shortened scoreless outing, Kelly had surrendered eight home runs since returning from the IL. Only six qualified starters have surrendered more homers in that time. Tonight’s five innings of shutout baseball seemed to represent a step in the right direction for Kelly with the postseason just over the horizon, so long as he remains healthy enough to pitch.
With Zac Gallen sure to front the club’s playoff rotation, an injury to Kelly that prevents him from starting postseason games for Arizona would seemingly line lefty Eduardo Rodriguez and youngster Brandon Pfaadt up to start behind Gallen in the playoffs, though (much like Kelly) Rodriguez has struggled since coming off the IL last month while Pfaadt has a 7.58 ERA in September. Both pitchers seem more likely to start playoff games for the Diamondbacks than lefty Jordan Montgomery, who has struggled to a 6.23 ERA and 4.59 FIP since he signed with the club back in March and was demoted to the bullpen late last month.
Fortunately, the club could have another option. As noted by MLB.com’s Injury Tracker, the club remains optimistic that right-hander Ryne Nelson will be able to return from the injured list prior to the end of the season next week. The righty was placed on the shelf last weekend due to shoulder inflammation but was scheduled to throw a bullpen session today and is first eligible to return to action on September 26. The 26-year-old has impressed in his second season as a regular starter for Arizona, with a roughly league average 4.33 ERA and a stronger 3.76 FIP in 147 2/3 innings of work this year. Should Nelson return from the injured list next week as expected, he’ll be able to join the club’s postseason rotation and give the Diamondbacks some flexibility if Kelly’s exit this evening proves serious.
It’s precautionary and they will figure out the proper amount of electrolytes to prevent cramps for the playoffs. Kelly is an underrated ace.
A solid #2, sure. An ace? No way.
Ok, he’s an underrated, inexpensive number two who has pitched like an ace in the playoffs.
Baclofin for cramps
I heard that hockey players use mustard packets to combat cramping.
Ryne Nelson was arguably the best Dbacks starter in the second half of the season. When he comes back next week, if he pitches to that same level, he’ll be in the projected postseason starting rotation. Montgomery will head back to the bullpen, where he was showing signs of being a weapon. Montgomery’s start today will factor into decisions about the post-season, if the Dbacks get there.
If the Dbacks win 4 of the last 7 games, the Braves would have to go 7-0 to overtake them. So the Dbacks have a very solid chance at the playoffs again this year.
Kelly was bad in his first four starts upon returning from the IL, but has been solid his last four – 22 IP, 2.45 ERA, 22 SOs and two HRs. Kelly’s HR problem was largely due to three HRs he gave up to the Dodgers in one inning. Regarding Gallen, it’s not a given he will front a playoff rotation as he has been very inefficient this year. He’s been good of late, but usually sits at 90+ pitches thru five innings placing a burden on the BP. Torrey would probably give Gallen the game one nod, but Nelson has outpitched him for nearly three months.