Right-hander Merrill Kelly will be the Diamondbacks’ Opening Day starter, per manager Torey Lovullo, who dropped the news in a surprising, early-spring announcement during his session with reporters on Saturday, Feb. 14.
“It’s the right thing to do,” Lovullo said. “He was an easy candidate.”
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Kelly is coming off another strong season, in which he posted a 3.52 ERA in 32 starts, 10 of which came with the Texas Rangers after a deadline trade. He signed back with the Diamondbacks in December on a two-year, $40 million deal.
Lovullo opted for Kelly over right-handers Zac Gallen — who agreed to return on a one-year, $22.025 million deal on Friday, Feb. 13 — and Ryne Nelson, who last season emerged as a dependable rotation piece.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Gavin Logan during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Geraldo Perdomo (2) during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte (4) during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks Carlos Santana during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks Lourdes Gurriel Jr. during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks catcher James McCann (8) takes infield practice during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Gabriel Moreno (14) during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks catcher James McCann (8) talks to pitcher Merrill Kelly during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Merrill Kelly during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Merrill Kelly during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Merrill Kelly during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Merrill Kelly during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks Jordan Lawlar during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Druw Jones during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks Lourdes Gurriel Jr. during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks assistant general manager Jeremy Bleich (left) during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Brandon Pfaadt (32) during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Druw Jones reacts during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Brandon Pfaadt (32) during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks catcher James McCann (8) talks to pitcher Brandon Pfaadt (32) during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte (4) during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks Carlos Santana during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks Alek Thomas (5) during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Gabriel Moreno (14) takes infield practice during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (right) during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks catchers James McCann and Gabriel Moreno (right) during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026 in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Gabriel Moreno (14) throws a football during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo (17) during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo (17) during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks catcher James McCann (8) talks to pitcher Merrill Kelly during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Merrill Kelly during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Tommy Henry during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Tommy Henry during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Cristian Mena during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks Nolan Arenado during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Geraldo Perdomo (2) during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks Lourdes Gurriel Jr. during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks Lourdes Gurriel Jr. during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo (17) during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo (17) during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks Tim Tawa during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Brandon Pfaadt (32) during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Brandon Pfaadt (32) during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Kohl Drake during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte (4) during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks Carlos Santana during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks Alek Thomas (5) during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Diamondbacks get ready for spring training at Salt River Fields
Arizona Diamondbacks Jordan Lawlar catches a fly ball during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
The timing is unusual for Lovullo, who has tended to wait until later in spring to announce a decision. The timing backfired on him last year when he opted for Gallen over right-hander Corbin Burnes; rather than pitching the second game of the season, as Lovullo had expected, Burnes was pushed to the fifth game in order to adhere to his routine.
Lovullo said he had settled on the Kelly decision over the past couple of days in conversations with club officials.
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“I just thought, ‘Why not congratulate him and have a good baseball moment? Why not let you guys know and get out way ahead of it?’” Lovullo said. “It’s not crazy that this type of stuff happens. I’ve seen other managers do it.
“When I don’t know, I don’t know. I have very strong feelings about certain things, but I’m not always 100 percent certain and that’s when I live in that gray space with you guys. But since I knew, I was like, ‘Why not?’ I’ll tell him and I’ll tell you guys.”
This will be Kelly’s first Opening Day assignment. Gallen had taken the ball in the opener each of the previous three seasons.
The Diamondbacks open their season on March 26 at Dodger Stadium.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Diamondbacks’ Merrill Kelly gets Opening Day nod from Torey Lovullo