Diamondbacks Adjust Rotation for Series Finale Against Giants

Just hours before the first pitch of the Diamondbacks’ series finale against the Giants, starting pitcher Merrill Kelly was scratched from Arizona’s lineup.

Manager Torey Lovullo revealed that Kelly has been dealing with discomfort in his right shoulder, prompting him to undergo an MRI on Saturday. The extent of Kelly’s injury has yet to be determined.

If Kelly were to be sidelined and head to the IL, it would create a significant gap in the Diamondbacks’ rotation, as he has been one of the most dependable arms for Arizona over the past year. Kelly has begun this season with a 2.19 ERA across four appearances. In all four starts, the veteran has lasted at least five innings and has yet to allow more than two earned runs.

The D-backs are already contending with Eduardo Rodriguez on the 60-day IL, and their closer, Paul Sewald, has yet to make an appearance this season due to an oblique strain.

As a result of these injuries, the Diamondbacks have faced numerous challenges with their bullpen depth and have had to rely on some relatively young pitchers to bolster the starting rotation.

Replacing Kelly against the Giants will be Slade Cecconi, who was called up earlier in the day. Cecconi has made just four starts in the major leagues, and today marks his first appearance in the majors this season. In terms of facing the Giants, Cecconi made his major league debut against San Francisco in August of last year. During that start, he surrendered two earned runs over 4.2 innings, contributing to a 4-2 loss for the Diamondbacks.

First pitch is scheduled for 1:05 PM.