Merrill Kelly Aims to Continue Momentum Toward Season

Kelly seeks to build off an excellent first start against the Cubs last week.

The Diamondbacks are the host today against the Colorado Rockies in their shared facility at Salt River Fields. Game time is 1:10 P.M. and the game will be broadcast on Dbacks radio on MLB.com

Merrill Kelly is making his second start of spring training. He was  Intentionally held back from pitching in his first  Cactus League game until March 8th to allow for a slower ramp up. This was done in consideration of his workload the past two seasons, including 2023 where he threw 200+ innings in the regular season and postseason combined. 

Kelly looked sharp in his first outing, utilizing all his pitches and showing his trademark good command, throwing 16 of 21 pitches for strikes. He tossed two scoreless, hitless innings in that outing.

Merrill Kelly Continues His Journey With Sharp Spring Outing

Logan Allen, who is also being stretched out as a starter, will pitch today as well.  He is expected to begin the year in the Triple-A Reno rotation, but Torey Lovullo emphasized this past week that anyone still in camp and being stretched out is "in the mix" for the 5th starter's role.  

Relievers scheduled to pitch include lefty Jose Castillo, and right-hander Luis Frías.  Kyle Nelson was originally scheduled to pitch as well but he's battling a sore groin and the team will pull him back a few days. 

Lineups

D-backs vs. Rockies Lineups: March 13, 2024 / Michael McDermott

Jace Peterson gets the start at shortstop today. The D-backs are still evaluating the backup shortstop position between Peterson, Elvis Andrus, Kevin Newman, Emmanuel Rivera, and Blaze Alexander. While the D-backs exhibited their A lineup vs. righties on Monday, they're evaluating potential backups that could play against them.