Diamondbacks Gameday Thread, #23: 4/21 @ Giants

Roster moves

The Arizona Diamondbacks made the following roster moves:

• Recalled from Triple-A Reno: RHP Slade Cecconi (No. 43)
• Optioned to Reno: RHP Justin Martinez

The above provoked a bit of head-scratching when it was initially announced this morning. However, it made considerably more sense shortly thereafter, when it was announced that intended starting pitcher Merrill Kelly had been scratched from the game, with Cecconi taking over for him. Obviously, this is a concerning development. According to Jody Jackson, “Merrill Kelly felt some tightness while throwing yesterday - had imaging last night. Right shoulder discomfort. He will head back to Phoenix to be further evaluated.” It’s never what you want to hear, and we likely won’t know more until tomorrow. One crumb of comfort: the fact Kelly was not immediately put on the Injured List. But we will see.

It would certainly be a significant blow to lose Kelly for any amount of time. He has been the team’s most consistent start over the past three years, averaging 30 starts per season - and getting better each one. That trend had continued into 2024, Kelly posting a 2.19 ERA over his first four starts. He’ll be replaced, for today at least, by Cecconi, who had a 4.33 ERA over 27 innings last season, and has had a 4.58 ERA over four starts for the Reno Aces in Triple-A, with a K:BB of 23:8 over 19.2 innings. He was scheduled to start for Reno today, so length shouldn’t be a problem. But it’s hard to imagine any scenario in which he won’t be a downgrade over Kelly.

Fingers crossed the “evaluation” of Kelly is good news, but for the D-backs, after the arrival of Jordan Montgomery on Friday, it’s a case of two steps forward, two steps back. Our thoughts are also with guest recapper Snake_Bitten, who is no longer getting the Kelly start originally scheduled...