Veteran Merrill Kelly inks 2-year, $40M deal to return to Diamondbacks.

Veteran RHP Merrill Kelly has agreed to a two-year, $40 million deal to return to the Arizona Diamondbacks. Kelly, 37, was traded to the Texas Rangers at the July deadline but is now back with his former club. He posted a combined 12-9 record with a 3.52 ERA over 184 innings in 2025. A Scottsdale native, Kelly was a key part of the D-backs' 2023 World Series run, going 12-8 with a 3.29 ERA. His return is crucial as ace Corbin Burnes recovers from Tommy John surgery for 2026.