PHOENIX (AZFamily) — Arizona Diamondbacks Manager Torey Lovullo made it official Saturday, naming 37-year-old Arizona native Merrill Kelly the opening day starting pitcher.
After being shipped off at the deadline last year, Kelly returns to the Valley for his 8th season with the team.
He signed a two-year, $40 million contract this offseason.
Lovullo usually does not announce an opening day starter until after camp, but said this year it was an obvious choice.
“It was the right thing to do he was an easy candidate, he has been a very dedicated Arizona Diamondback besides his time in Texas, and we know why that happened,” Lovullo said. “He is hard working, very successful and he has been setting the tone for us, and I feel like he deserves this opportunity.”
Kelly will take the mound on March 26 against the Dodgers.
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