Merrill Kelly was slated to start Friday’s game for the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Instead, he will get to know his new teammates with the Texas Rangers.
The Diamondbacks and Athletics both were hit with big departures at Thursday’s trade deadline. The squads will have to regroup on Friday night for the opener of a three-game series at West Sacramento, Calif.
Kelly, Arizona’s longtime pitching stalwart, was dealt to the Texas Rangers, and slugging third baseman Eugenio Suarez and his 36 homers were traded to the Seattle Mariners. Right-handed reliever Shelby Miller also was on the move and now is employed by the Milwaukee Brewers.
As for the Athletics, they made a tremor-like move by sending star closer Mason Miller and left-handed starter JP Sears to the San Diego Padres. The A’s also sent infielder Miguel Andujar to the Cincinnati Reds.
The Athletics received four prospects from the Padres and one from the Reds. The big score was landing shortstop Leo De Vries, the No. 3 overall prospect in the sport, from San Diego.
Miller didn’t pitch for the A’s in a save situation during Wednesday night’s 5-4 win over Seattle as talks between the Padres and A’s intensified. Afterward, Athletics manager Mark Kotsay said “this is not an injury-related issue.”
As for Arizona, it received three pitching prospects from the Rangers and two from the Mariners. The D-backs also landed first baseman Tyler Locklear, who was tearing up the minor leagues and will get a long look over the final two months of the season.
Ironically, Arizona had an opening at first base after trading Josh Naylor to the Mariners last week.
Kelly, 36, is slated to become a free agent following the season.
The way general manager Mike Hazen spoke after the trade, it wouldn’t be shocking to see a Kelly/Diamondbacks reunion after the campaign.
“I think as far as becoming a major league player and then growing up through that system with us, there’s a huge attachment,” Hazen said of Kelly. “And all he did for the community, all he did when he was here. He’s gonna be missed. … Who knows what happens in the future, and we wish him the best.”
Arizona did retain right-hander Zac Gallen, the longtime ace who has struggled this season, going 7-12 with a 5.60 ERA. Gallen also will be a free agent after the season.
Hazen said there were extensive talks involving Gallen, but “we didn’t get anything accomplished.”
The Diamondbacks lost in the 2023 World Series — Kelly beat the Rangers for Arizona’s lone triumph – and now appear to be entering a rebuilding phase.
The Diamondbacks have lost five straight games and eight of nine entering this series.
The Athletics are on the other side of the spectrum by winning six of their last seven games. They soundly swept the Houston Astros in a four-game road series and followed by taking two of three home games against the Seattle Mariners.
Kotsay said he’s impressed by the recent improvement of his club.
“Just the growth that we have made,” he said. “We’re pitching better. Our defense is better. The offense has been consistent pretty much throughout the season. … Even if we’re losing games, you don’t see a lack of effort or lack of preparation.”
The Athletics haven’t announced a starting pitcher for Friday’s game. Left-hander Jacob Lopez (3-6, 4.29 ERA) is one option. He last pitched on Saturday, giving up no runs and two hits over 4 1/3 innings in his team’s 5-1 win over Houston.
Arizona has yet to name a replacement starter for Kelly. Gallen is slated to start on Saturday.
–Field Level Media
