John Gambadoro was first with the news, sending one of the D-backs’ longest-serving pitchers to the Texas Rangers. Jeff Passan subsequently confirmed the news. Kelly signed with Arizona before the 2019 season, after a period spent pitching in Korea, and has been a mainstay of the team’s rotation since. Indeed, there’s a case to be made that he is one of the better pitchers in the league, not to have been an All-Star. Kelly made 162 appearances in his time with the Diamondbacks, going 62-50 with a 3.74
ERA (114 ERA+). That currently puts him third on the franchise list for starts and victories, though it’s possible Zac Gallen might pass him in both categories by season end, depending on... Well, y’know.
As yet, we don’t know what the return for Kelly will be, but we should hear pretty soon what’s coming back from the Rangers, and will update this ASAP.
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