The Diamondbacks still have not provided an update on right-hander Merrill Kelly, other than to say he underwent additional tests on his back.
Kelly was scratched from a live batting practice session on Saturday, Feb. 21, due to what was described as “mid-back tightness.”
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Lovullo said Kelly, who underwent an MRI earlier in the week, also had a CT scan, in hopes of finding more clarity on the specifics of the injury.
“It’s a wide range,” Lovullo said. “I’m not going to lie. We’re being very thorough with what we’re doing. We’re taking every test necessary to make sure that we get everything in the bag before we start to pass that information along.
“We’ve got to figure out exactly what’s happening in there.”
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Top photos from Arizona Diamondbacks’ 2026 spring training
Arizona Diamondbacks Jordan Lawlar catches a fly ball during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Top photos from Arizona Diamondbacks’ 2026 spring training
Arizona Diamondbacks Jordan Lawlar catches a fly ball during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Top photos from Arizona Diamondbacks’ 2026 spring training
Arizona Diamondbacks’ Nolan Arenado (28) rounds the bases after hitting a home run off Colorado Rockies pitcher Antonio Senzatela (49) in the second inning during a spring training game at Salt River Fields on Feb. 20, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Top photos from Arizona Diamondbacks’ 2026 spring training
Arizona Diamondbacks’ Gabriel Moreno (14) bats against the Colorado Rockies in the fourth inning during a spring training game at Salt River Fields on Feb. 20, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Top photos from Arizona Diamondbacks’ 2026 spring training
Arizona Diamondbacks’ Alek Thomas (5) runs to second base after hitting a double against the Colorado Rockies in the second inning during a spring training game at Salt River Fields on Feb. 20, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Top photos from Arizona Diamondbacks’ 2026 spring training
D. Baxter the Bobcat, the Arizona Diamondbacks mascot, signs autographs during the spring training season opener against the Colorado Rockies at Salt River Fields on Feb. 20, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Top photos from Arizona Diamondbacks’ 2026 spring training
Arizona Diamondbacks’ Nolan Arenado (28) reacts after hitting a home run off Colorado Rockies pitcher Antonio Senzatela (49) in the second inning during a spring training game at Salt River Fields on Feb. 20, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Top photos from Arizona Diamondbacks’ 2026 spring training
The Arizona Diamondbacks take the field against the Colorado Rockies during the spring training season opener at Salt River Fields on Feb. 20, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Top photos from Arizona Diamondbacks’ 2026 spring training
Arizona Diamondbacks’ Nolan Arenado (28) hits a home run over Colorado Rockies left fielder Zac Veen (13) in the second inning during a spring training game at Salt River Fields on Feb. 20, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Top photos from Arizona Diamondbacks’ 2026 spring training
The Salt River Pima – Maricopa Indian Community traditional dancers perform at the Arizona Diamondbacks spring training season opener at Salt River Fields on Feb. 20, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Top photos from Arizona Diamondbacks’ 2026 spring training
Arizona Diamondbacks’ Nolan Arenado (28) hits a home run off Colorado Rockies pitcher Antonio Senzatela (49) in the second inning during a spring training game at Salt River Fields on Feb. 20, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Top photos from Arizona Diamondbacks’ 2026 spring training
Arizona Diamondbacks’ Nolan Arenado (28) hits a home run off Colorado Rockies pitcher Antonio Senzatela (49) in the second inning during a spring training game at Salt River Fields on Feb. 20, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Top photos from Arizona Diamondbacks’ 2026 spring training
A fan and her dog cheer for the Arizona Diamondbacks during the spring training season opener against the Colorado Rockies at Salt River Fields on Feb. 20, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Top photos from Arizona Diamondbacks’ 2026 spring training
Arizona Diamondbacks center fielder Alek Thomas (5) signs autographs during the spring training season opener against the Colorado Rockies at Salt River Fields on Feb. 20, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Top photos from Arizona Diamondbacks’ 2026 spring training
Colorado Rockies pitcher Juan Mejia (47) throws to the Arizona Diamondbacks in the third inning during a spring training game at Salt River Fields on Feb. 20, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Top photos from Arizona Diamondbacks’ 2026 spring training
Fans watch the action on the left field lawn as the Colorado Rockies host the Arizona Diamondbacks during a spring training game at Salt River Fields on Feb. 20, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Top photos from Arizona Diamondbacks’ 2026 spring training
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Andrew Hoffmann (56) throws to the Colorado Rockies in the second inning during a spring training game at Salt River Fields on Feb. 20, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Top photos from Arizona Diamondbacks’ 2026 spring training
Arizona Diamondbacks’ Nolan Arenado (28) reacts after hitting a home run off Colorado Rockies pitcher Antonio Senzatela (49) in the second inning during a spring training game at Salt River Fields on Feb. 20, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Top photos from Arizona Diamondbacks’ 2026 spring training
Arizona Diamondbacks center fielder Alek Thomas (5) catches a fly ball from Colorado Rockies’ Edouard Julien (6) in the second inning during a spring training game at Salt River Fields on Feb. 20, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Top photos from Arizona Diamondbacks’ 2026 spring training
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Philip Abner (50) takes the mound against the Colorado Rockies in the third inning during a spring training game at Salt River Fields on Feb. 20, 2026, in Scottsdale.
Kelly is the Diamondbacks’ scheduled Opening Day starter. The back issue raises questions about whether he will be available to make that March 26 start vs. the Dodgers.
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Zac Gallen set for spring debut
Right-hander Zac Gallen will make his first start of the Cactus League on Wednesday, Feb. 24, Lovullo said.
Though the plan is for right-hander Michael Soroka to pitch two innings on Tuesday, Feb. 23, Gallen will throw only one against the Dodgers, an indication that he is just a little behind the others after signing late as a free agent.
“We can make up for that,” Lovullo said. “We can make sure he’s on time.”
Updates on Jonathan Loaisiga and Cristofer Torin
Right-hander Jonathan Loaisiga threw a live batting practice session that caught Lovullo’s attention.
“It’s been really good,” Lovullo said of Loaisiga’s stuff. “It’s been in the zone; it’s come out pretty hot. He’s done some work to make sure he’s ready for this camp. That’s what his bullpens have shown me, and that’s what his fastball command showed me today. He’s around the zone and things look really crisp.”
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Loaisiga is in camp on a minor league deal and is seen as a strong candidate to win a bullpen spot. He logged a 4.25 ERA in 30 appearances with the New York Yankees last season.
Meanwhile, shortstop Cristofer Torin has been slowed this spring by a right wrist issue, Lovullo said, but he is nearing a return to action in games.
Torin felt discomfort in the wrist while taking swings in late January.
Torin, one of the club’s better prospects, could be back in games within the next week, farm director Chris Slivka said.
Torin hit a combined .291/.383/.393 with six homers last season in 127 games, most of them with High-A Hillsboro.
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Diamondbacks 6, Rangers 4
At Surprise Stadium
At the plate: 2B Ketel Marte connected on his first home run of the spring, an opposite-field, solo shot to right off LHP Austin Gomber. Marte has only a few more days left in camp before he departs for the World Baseball Classic, in which he will play for his native Dominican Republic. CF Alek Thomas hit two more balls hard, including a 111.9 mph rocket into the gap for a triple. He is 4 for 7 with two walks. He will also be leaving for the WBC to play for Mexico.
On the mound: RHP Michael Soroka broke out a pair of new pitches in his first outing of the spring and came away feeling good about both. “The sweeper and the cutter are definitely going to stay,” said Soroka, who gave up one run in two innings. “…Those two, I thought both of them were good today. I only threw one sweeper, but I got the strikeout on it. I threw a couple of really good cutters, too.” Soroka, who expects to have a six-pitch repertoire this year, seemed most encouraged by the cutter given the reactions he elicited from some left-handed hitters. “That’s a good feeling when you’re out there on the mound,” he said. “It just gives you another velo range to operate in so they’re not always sitting on one or the other. Got that mid-range dialed in and now we just have to eat the zone up with them.” Bullpen hopefuls LHP Brandyn Garcia, LHP Philip Abner and RHP Andrew Hoffmann each turned in a scoreless inning.
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Extra bases: Thomas and LF A.J. Vukovich had a LF Evan Carter ball fall between them in left-center field that went for a triple to open the bottom of the first inning. It led to a run off Soroka. Soroka laughed about having shaken off C James McCann in the first inning on a pitch that was hit by CF Wyatt Langford for an RBI single. “I’ll know to do what he calls next time,” Soroka said.
Next game, Wednesday, Feb. 25: Diamondbacks RHP Zac Gallen vs. Dodgers RHP Roki Sasaki, 1:10 p.m., Salt River Fields.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Diamondbacks’ Merrill Kelly undergoes additional tests on back