Merrill Kelly Suffered a Blood Clot in Calf

Quick diagnosis and action by the medical staff helped avoid a more serious issue

On Sunday morning Merrill Kelly reported feeling some discomfort in his lower left leg. After examination by the team's medical staff it was determined that he needed to be checked further for a blood clot in his leg, sometimes referred to as Deep Vein Thrombosis, or DVT. Typically a DVT clot is picked up by duplex ultrasonography. Torey Lovullo praised the medical team for quick action. 

"It was a great catch by the medical team to understand there was a little bit of discomfort and inflammation in there and we should get it checked out on the level that we did. There was a small clot in there"

Lovullo said this was very similar to what Ian Kennedy had last year. Kennedy missed 18 days from July 4th through July 21st. While he would not put a time table on Kelly's return Lovullo seemed confident that Kelly would not be out too long.  The earliest possible date he can return is July 10th but that is the day of the Home Run Derby when All Star week kicks off. The D-backs first game after the break is  July 14th in Toronto.  

Whether or not Kelly would require a rehab stint or if he can ramp back up with a couple of live bullpen sessions is too early to say according to Lovullo. 

"If I remember talking to Ian Kennedy last year he said I don't think I even needed to go on the DL, I just needed to miss a couple days. So we're thinking on that level with Merrill. He's going to do all he can to keep his arm in shape. It's his lower right leg. That shouldn't stop him from doing from being able to do a lot of stuff that will allow him to step back in when he gets cleared. "

Lovullo said that Kelly had to wait a day before he was cleared to fly, and needed to come back separately from the team on Monday.  Lovullo asked and was told that this was not related to Thoracic outlet syndrome that Kelly previous required surgery for. 

Several of Kelly's teammates expressed confidence in Kelly to recover quickly. 

Christian Walker said "There 's a pretty good energy around what's going on, all things considered. Hopefully it's not too much time. First and foremost he's feeling better and doing better, him and his family are in a good spot. When you put things in perspective you start talking about things like blood clots, you realize what's really important"

Carson Kelly said "It's definitely a big blow. It's not something you ever want to see.....his presence, him taking the ball every five days and what he brings to this team is going to be missed and hopefully it's a much quicker recovery time and he's back soon."

Speaking of Merrill as a pitcher Carson Kelly said "Every year he comes in and seems like he's a little bit better. He had an incredible year last year and then this year coming in just a little bit sharper. That's just the maturity of him as a player." 

Lovullo did not confirm who would be pitching for the D-backs on Thursday, but indicated it won't be Tommy Henry, who Lovullo said would start in the Angels series. If that is the case then it seems likely that Brandon Pfaadt will be called up to start on Thursday and assume a rotation spot at least until Kelly returns.