The Diamondbacks announced today that right-hander Casey Kelly has been selected to the roster. Left-hander Kyle Nelson has been optioned to Triple-A Reno to open an active roster spot. In a corresponding 40-man move, righty Kevin Ginkel has been transferred to the 60-day IL.
Kelly, 35, signed a minor league deal with the Snakes back in March. He has been pitching for Triple-A Reno in a swing role since then, logging 85 innings over 14 starts and four relief appearances. He has a 5.82 earned run average with a 10.6% strikeout rate, 8.6% walk rate and 45.8% ground ball rate.
The Arizona bullpen got a workout last night. They played 11 innings against the Padres, eventually falling 10-5. Six different relievers made an appearance. They also traded Merrill Kelly ahead of the deadline last week, which led to Anthony DeSclafani moving from a long relief role into the rotation. DeSclafani only lasted two and a third innings last time out and is starting again tonight. Kelly could be tasked with absorbing some innings out of the bullpen behind DeSclafani, in order to spare the rest of the bullpen.
As for Ginkel, this move ends his season. He began the year on the injured list due to shoulder inflammation. He was activated off the IL at the end of April but landed back there on Monday due to a sprain of that shoulder. The 60-day count will push into early October.
He has some good seasons on his résumé but 2025 will go down as one of his worst. He posted a 7.36 ERA this year, perhaps with the shoulder troubles contributing to his struggles. He averaged 94.9 miles per hour on his fastball this year, more than a mile below last year’s 96 mph.
He is making $2.425MM this year and could be retained via arbitration for 2025. His poor results will prevent him from earning a notable raise but the Diamondbacks might consider a non-tender anyway, based on this year’s results. They will have to decide if they think there’s a path back to his pre-2025 results. From 2022 to 2024, he pitched 164 2/3 innings with a 2.95 ERA, 26.5% strikeout rate, 7.3% walk rate and 47.1% ground ball rate.
Photo courtesy of Philip G. Pavely, Imagn Images
Casey Kelly in big 2025?
I needed to go find a pair of glasses so I could put them on and then take them off in shock at this headline.
There’s at least four or five current pitchers with the last name Kelly, and frankly it’s getting out of hand. Gonna have to make my own cheat card or something.
This is the formerly acquired from Boston version – about. 100 years ago it seems – I think the Gonzo trade?
Good opportunity to see Matsui and Peralta eat up the 7-9 tonight!
Anthony Rizzo has to be so mad that he’s no longer going to be the last guy from that trade to make a major league appearance
Was Pomeranz in there? I think he pitched this year maybe an inning?
Nah that was a separate trade for Anderson Espinoza, who’s pitching in Japan now.
longtime- Pomeranz actually pitched an inning last night for the Cubs, and has had a very solid season 1.99 ERA in 31 innings pitched (37 games)
he was traded to the Red Sox in 2016 for pitcher Anderson Espinoza- who only played in 7 games for the Cubs before his career ended.
Espinoza actually came back to the Padres for a brief stint a couple of years ago.
Diamondbacks adding a former top 25 prospect for free. Their fans have it so easy
There are a lot of those available for free. Some might even be better than Casey!
I had no idea he was still playing. I had to check his BR page to double check it was the same Casey Kelly. Talk about a blast from the past.
was the Gink there? (the 60-day IL that is)
Pretty safe to call former 1st round pick Casey kelly a bust at this point. Hug your prospects! 🙂